Trump lawyers clash with DOJ in election case hearing

In a Washington courtroom, lawyers for Donald Trump and the Justice Department engaged in a contentious hearing regarding the 2020 election interference case. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan emphasized the need for progress in the case, which has been stalled for over eight months due to Supreme Court deliberations on presidential immunity. The judge's decisions will likely be appealed, potentially delaying a trial until after the upcoming elections. During the hearing, Trump’s attorney John Lauro highlighted the significance of the case, which involves a four-count criminal indictment. Prosecutor Thomas Windom argued for a swift resolution, indicating that the defense could respond quickly, as evidenced by their previous filings. He also mentioned that new evidence would be presented soon, focusing on Trump’s actions as a political candidate rather than as president. A critical aspect of the case involves former Vice President Mike Pence, with Lauro asserting that any allegations against Pence could impact the indictment's validity. The judge expressed skepticism about the defense's claims regarding Pence's immunity, suggesting that the legal battles surrounding this issue could be particularly complex. Legal experts anticipate that the discussions surrounding Pence's role will be pivotal, as the Supreme Court has previously indicated that communications between a president and vice president are generally protected. However, the government may argue that certain actions taken by Trump were not part of his official duties, potentially allowing for prosecution without infringing on executive functions.