Judge Chutkan supports special counsel in Trump election case timeline

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has outlined the next steps in the prosecution of former President Donald Trump regarding his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Following a Supreme Court ruling affirming Trump's immunity for official acts during his presidency, Chutkan rejected a proposed timeline from Trump's legal team that would delay proceedings until 2025, well after the upcoming presidential election. Instead, she established a schedule that requires federal prosecutors to provide evidence to Trump's team by September 10, with subsequent deadlines for both sides to submit arguments regarding presidential immunity. The judge's order emphasizes the need for timely discussions on immunity alongside other motions expected from Trump's lawyers. Chutkan has set a deadline of October 17 for Trump's team to respond to the special counsel's arguments and to file their own request for dismissal based on immunity claims. Additionally, Trump's team must submit evidence they believe was improperly withheld by prosecutors by September 19. During a recent hearing, Chutkan and Trump's attorney debated whether certain actions, particularly conversations with Vice President Mike Pence, fall under presidential immunity. The judge indicated that her decisions regarding the application of the Supreme Court's ruling would likely be appealed, which could further delay the proceedings. Chutkan made it clear that the court's schedule is not influenced by the electoral calendar, asserting that discussions about a trial date would be futile at this stage. The case is set to continue with the established timeline, ensuring that a trial will not occur before the November election.