Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the first presidential debate hosted by CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., June 27, 2024.
Marco Bello | Reuters
U.S. federal judge Aileen Cannon on Saturday granted former President Donald Trump’s request summary further on the issue of presidential immunity in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case and delayed some deadlines.
Cannon’s order marks the latest fall from grace. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision on Monday, ruling that Trump is immune from prosecution for some actions as president in a federal election interference case.
In the order, Cannon gave special counsel Jack Smith the right, but not the obligation, to file a deposition about the use of classified information at trial. She also suspended two upcoming deadlines for Trump and his co-defendants.
Smith’s brief is due July 18 and the Trump team’s response is due July 21.
Neither Trump’s attorney nor the Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment Saturday afternoon.
Have no trial date in the classified documents case. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The latest developments come after Trump’s lawyers on Friday asked Cannon to halt proceedings and consider how the Supreme Court ruling would affect the case. In February, Trump’s team also filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on grounds of immunity.
Saturday’s order also keeps Trump’s team busy — at least in the short term — as it tries to minimize or completely dismiss two of the three other criminal cases pending against him.
In an initial order this week, Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s criminal hush money trial earlier this year, stayed Trump’s sentencing hearing on July 11 will allow a summary of Trump’s motion to vacate that ruling.
Trump’s brief, which is expected to focus on evidence related to his official acts admitted at trial to demonstrate his knowledge and intent, is due July 11. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s response is due July 24.
