Judge to address Trump’s election interference case after delays

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., will hold a hearing on Thursday to address the election interference case involving former President Donald Trump, after months of delays. The hearing could significantly influence the case’s progress.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan will review opposing proposals on how to proceed following a Supreme Court ruling that grants broad immunity for presidential acts.

This marks the first courtroom appearance for Trump’s lawyers and special counsel Jack Smith since last autumn. Trump’s legal team delayed the trial, initially set for March, by appealing to the Supreme Court, which has since reshaped the legal context.

Last week, Smith filed a superseding indictment, removing allegations tied to Trump’s official duties—protected under the Supreme Court’s ruling—while maintaining the four original charges. The new indictment states Trump had no official role in the certification process but had a personal interest as a candidate.

Trump will not attend the hearing in person and has instructed his attorneys to plead not guilty. The revised indictment no longer includes claims that Trump used the Department of Justice to support false election fraud claims or details of his actions on January 6 during the Capitol riot.

Prosecutors assert the revisions ensure the Supreme Court’s protections won’t cover the new charges, distinguishing Trump’s private election activities from official actions. Defense attorneys argue that some allegations still fall under presidential immunity and that a federal obstruction statute has been misapplied.

The Supreme Court’s decision expanded presidential immunity but left it to Judge Chutkan to determine if Trump’s actions were official or private. Smith wants Chutkan to resolve the immunity issue through paper briefings, while defense lawyers suggest the case should be dismissed based on the legality of Smith’s appointment before tackling immunity, potentially extending proceedings into the new year.

Thursday’s hearing will provide insight into how Chutkan plans to proceed with the interference case and apply the Supreme Court’s ruling ahead of the November election.

Attorney General Merrick Garland defended Smith’s decision to bring a new indictment shortly before the election, stating Smith adhered to DOJ policies. Garland expressed confidence in Smith’s actions, aiming to comply with the Supreme Court’s directives.

Trump continues to defend his actions related to the election. In a recent interview, he questioned the rationale behind indicting someone for trying to interfere with a presidential election.