Former President Donald Trump’s federal election trial might get delayed for months, the federal judge overseeing the case has indicated.
“I hope not to be in the country on Aug. 5,” U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan said during a separate criminal case conference, according to Politico. The judge said that if she is, it will only be because “I’m in trial in another matter that has not yet returned to my calendar,” seeming to reference President Trump’s case, which was removed from the calendar via an order on Feb. 2.
After Judge Chutkan denied a move to dismiss the case on the grounds of presidential immunity in December 2023, the lawyers for President Trump appealed the decision. The trial date is now uncertain as the case timetable has been put on hold since then.
It was assumed that Judge Chutkan didn’t anticipate the pending appeal to be settled in a way that would bring the matter back to her court very soon because she currently has another case scheduled for hearing in early April. It seems that the judge is considering a schedule that might experience an even lengthier postponement.
Already, two months have passed since the federal election lawsuit was put on hold. President Trump’s move to dismiss was the subject of oral arguments before a three-judge panel on January 9. When the court will make a ruling is unknown.
President Trump is anticipated to file an additional appeal in the case and request a rehearing with the whole appeals court bench if the court denies the move. The United States Supreme Court may also review the matter. These would all cause the delay to increase.
An appeals court may potentially grant President Trump’s three unsuccessful attempts to have the case dismissed in district court, where he faces four counts of obstruction and conspiracy pertaining to his activities on January 6, 2021.
