Judge Delays Trump Jan. 6 Case

In a significant development, Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted special counsel Jack Smith's request to postpone proceedings in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. The hearing, originally set for next week, has been rescheduled to September 5. This decision follows a surprise request from prosecutors to slow down the case after the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity introduced uncertainty into the proceedings. Prior to the Supreme Court's ruling, Smith had been keen to expedite the case, even seeking the high court's intervention last year to address immunity issues before lower courts could rule. However, following the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States, prosecutors indicated they are still assessing the implications of the new legal precedent and consulting with other Department of Justice components to determine their next steps. Chutkan's order reflects a collaborative approach, as Trump's defense team agreed to the postponement, signaling a mutual interest in reassessing the case's trajectory. Known for her assertive management of the case, Chutkan has previously rejected many of Trump's requests and maintained a brisk pace in scheduling hearings and deadlines. The upcoming hearing will focus on establishing a pre-trial schedule, now complicated by the Supreme Court's ruling, which is expected to significantly weaken Smith's case. The special counsel must revise his indictment to comply with the ruling, which protects certain presidential actions from criminal prosecution, giving him an additional three weeks to strategize on how to proceed.