The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s federal cases of election interference on Friday granted an extension requested by special counsel Jack Smith’s office.
Smith on Thursday requested a delay in responding to a scheduling order from U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, citing issues related to the Supreme Court’s recent decision grant presidents immunity from prosecution for certain acts taken during their term of office.
Smith’s office said Thursday that it continues “to assess the new precedent presented last month” by the Supreme Court along with “other parts of the Justice Department.”
A progress report on the case that was originally due on Friday has now officially been moved to August 30. A status conference that had been scheduled for August 16 will now be September 5.
Former President Donald Trump addresses guests at a rally on April 2, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Judge Chutkan regained control of the case last Friday after the Supreme Court’s final verdict.
Trump last August pleaded not guilty to allegations of conducting a “criminal scheme” to overturn the results of the 2020 election by enlisting a list of so-called “fake voters,” using the Justice Department to conduct “sham election crime investigations,” and attempting to enlist the vice president to “alter the election results” and promote false claims of a stolen election as the January 6 riots raged — all in an effort to undermine democracy and stay in power.