By Evaristo Lara
06 Jul 2024, 17:08 PM EDT
Federal Judge Aileen Cannon agreed to suspend several court deadlines to consider presidential immunity Donald Trump in his case related to the improper possession of classified materials.
Based on an investigation conducted by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, The former president of the nation was charged with 40 serious crimes arising from the intentional withholding of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements.
But on Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that in Trump v. United States, a former president of the nation has substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office, but not for acts deemed unofficial.
Based on this, in the case of the alleged improper possession of classified documents, Lawyers representing the 78-year-old Republican filed a motion aimed at partially suspending further proceedings until motions based on presidential immunity are resolved.
“The resolution of these preliminary issues is necessary to minimize the adverse consequences for the institution of the presidency arising from this unconstitutional investigation and prosecution.
“A partial suspension is also appropriate to prevent further exploitation of judicial institutions and resources by Executive Branch personnel in connection with the ongoing shameful lawfare campaign,” said Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, and Chris Kise.
And their strategy yielded positive results, because Less than 24 hours later, Judge Aileen Cannon agreed to hear arguments.
He thus granted them a two-week suspension so that both parties could prepare reports on the relevance of the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
It should be noted that since February, Representatives of the former president of the nation had asked the federal judge to dismiss the charges against him under the argument that he has the right to presidential immunity and that, if he does not do so, the appointments and allocations clauses of the Constitution would be violated.
Special prosecutor Smith, meanwhile, urged Aileen Cannon to reject the request, saying the indictment filed by a federal grand jury last year does not accuse Donald Trump of any of his actions as president.
Keep reading:
• Trump rejects the “2025 Project” promoted by conservative groups to “restore” the country
• Trump’s lawyers question appointment of prosecutor Jack Smith in classified documents case
• Trump mocks special prosecutor Jack Smith, says Supreme Court beat him up