During a status conference Thursday, attorneys for former President Donald Trump requested a delay in the government’s presentation of its evidence in his criminal case related to the 2020 election, citing concerns about the timing as the 2024 presidential election looms. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, however, signaled her reluctance to accommodate delays tied to the political calendar.
Trump Evidentiary Delay Request : Trump’s Request for Delay
Trump’s attorney, John Lauro, argued that the government’s proposed timeline, which involves presenting comprehensive evidence by the end of September, would be unfair given the “sensitive time” due to the upcoming election. Lauro also suggested that Trump’s communications with former Vice President Mike Pence should be considered under presidential immunity before broader evidence is introduced. He claimed that forcing the defense to respond to the prosecution’s evidence now would create an uneven playing field.
“It’s incredibly unfair in the sense that they’re able to… load up on what they think this case is about at this very sensitive time,” Lauro said.
Judge Pushes for Forward Motion
Judge Chutkan rejected the notion that the 2024 election would influence the pace of the case, stating that the electoral process is “not relevant here.” She further emphasized that the case had already been delayed, refuting the defense’s claims that the prosecution was attempting to rush the trial.
