Trump 2020 election case halted as SCOTUS weighs immunity

Former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election subversion case was halted by the presiding judge Wednesday while the Supreme Court considers whether he enjoys immunity from the charges.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in a brief three-page order that “any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on defendant” will be held over until the immunity question is decided by the high court.

However, Chutkan emphasized that the partial gag order she imposed on the 77-year-old Trump would remain in effect, writing, “if a criminal defendant could bypass those critical safeguards merely by asserting immunity and then appealing its denial, then during the appeal’s pendency, the defendant could irreparably harm any future proceedings and their participants.”

The gag order, which was narrowed by the federal appeals court for DC last week, restricts Trump’s ability to rhetorically “target” known or “reasonably foreseeable” witnesses.

“Defendant does not appear to argue that the protective measures are themselves stayed,” Chutkan added.

“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.”

Earlier this month, Chutkan denied Trump’s bid to scrap the case altogether on the basis of presidential immunity. Ahead of an anticipated appeal by Trump, special counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to rule on the matter by Dec. 18 in a bid to keep the trial on track to begin March 4.

The justices have given Trump’s legal team until Dec. 20 to respond.

“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 … the trial,” she wrote.

Trump, who is facing a four-count indictment in the case, has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

The Supreme Court also agreed Wednesday to take up a separate case challenging the scope of the statute banning obstruction of official proceedings, one of the four counts against Trump.

The 45th president is also facing another 87 counts spanning across three more criminal cases.