Trump stated the order was a “big win.”
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has paused court proceedings in the election case against former President Donald Trump, pending his appeal to dismiss the case entirely based on presidential immunity.
“The court agrees with both parties that Defendant’s appeal automatically stays any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on Defendant,” she wrote. “The court hereby stays the deadlines and proceedings scheduled by its Pretrial Order.”
Judge Chutkan clarified that this would pause the pretrial deadlines, not vacate them
“If jurisdiction is returned to this court, it will—consistent with its duty to ensure both a speedy trial and fairness for all parties—consider at that time whether to retain or continue the dates of any still-future deadlines and proceedings, including the trial scheduled for March 4, 2024,” the order reads.
The pause on proceedings doesn’t lift the gag order or protective order over classified materials, she noted. Neither side had argued over pausing these orders. A separate appeals court panel had previously narrowed the gag order while reiterating its necessity.
“Nonetheless, if he asks the court reviewing his immunity appeal to also take temporary jurisdiction over the enforcement of those measures, and that court agrees to do so, this court, of course, will be bound by that decision,” the judge wrote.
Appeal in Progress, Trial Delay Likely
Last week, President Trump changed the playing field in the case when he appealed Judge Chutkan’s denial of his motion to dismiss based on presidential immunity. The same day, defense attorneys filed a notice of appeal and a motion to stay proceedings in the district court because an appeals court decision could throw out the case.
But even if the appeals court didn’t rule in President Trump’s favor, it would have thrown off the district court schedule.
President Trump’s attorneys haven’t kept their wish to move back the trial date secret, arguing multiple times for a delay, largely due to the large amount of discovery material—some 13 million pages—they plan to review.
By Catherine Yang
