U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon recently granted former President Donald Trump’s request for further briefing on the issue of presidential immunity in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. This decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Trump’s immunity from prosecution for some conduct as president in the federal election interference case. The order by Judge Cannon allows special counsel Jack Smith the option to file a submission on the use of classified information at trial and delayed certain deadlines for Trump and his co-defendants.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump’s legal team has been actively working to navigate various criminal cases pending against him. They recently requested a pause in court proceedings to assess how the ruling would impact the ongoing cases. Additionally, in February, they filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on immunity grounds. This legal maneuvering has significantly increased the workload for Trump’s legal team, as they strive to minimize or dismiss the charges brought against him.
As a result of Judge Cannon’s order, there have been adjustments to upcoming deadlines in the Mar-a-Lago case. Special counsel Jack Smith’s brief is now due on July 18, with a reply from Trump’s legal team due on July 21. However, despite these changes, there is still no trial date set for the classified documents case. Trump has maintained his plea of not guilty to all the charges brought against him.
In addition to the Mar-a-Lago case, Trump is also facing three other criminal cases that are currently pending. Judge Juan Merchan recently stayed Trump’s July 11 sentencing hearing in the criminal hush money trial to allow for briefing on Trump’s motion to set aside the verdict. Trump’s team is expected to focus on evidence involving his official acts admitted during the trial to prove his knowledge and intent. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s response to this motion is due on July 24.
The legal battles of former President Donald Trump are far from over. With multiple cases pending and ongoing legal maneuverings, Trump’s legal team is facing a daunting task. The recent developments in the Mar-a-Lago case and the hush money trial underscore the complexity and importance of the legal issues at hand. It remains to be seen how these cases will unfold in the coming months and what impact they will have on Trump’s legal standing.