Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are criticizing efforts by federal prosecutors to streamline arguments and appeals in his 2020 election interference case, claiming it could impact the 2024 presidential race. They argue that a proposed 180-page brief by special counsel Jack Smith is improper and should not be allowed. They believe that this effort would essentially serve as a biased report and unfairly influence the upcoming election.
Smith’s office has defended the need for such a filing to address concerns about presidential immunity issues and reduce the potential for multiple appeals in the case. They have asked the judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, for permission to file the brief by Thursday. Trump’s lawyers are urging her to reject this request, calling it a premature and biased attempt to air grievances against the former president.
Trump is facing charges including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. He has pleaded not guilty and claims the indictment is politically motivated. The trial, originally scheduled for March, was delayed after the Supreme Court ruled on the issue of presidential immunity. The case is now pending a determination on whether certain actions by Trump were official or unofficial acts.
No trial date has been set, and the case continues to be a contentious legal battle between Trump’s defense team and federal prosecutors.
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