Judge Sets Pre-Trial Meeting in Trump's Election Case

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan scheduled a pre-trial meeting for August 16 in the criminal case against Donald Trump for attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Chutkan is expected to rule on aspects of the indictment. Trump's trial prep may extend beyond the Nov. 5 presidential election.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has scheduled a pre-trial meeting for August 16 in the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegal attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, according to a court document released on Saturday. Chutkan's order follows her recent regained jurisdiction after an eight-month pause to allow for Trump’s presidential immunity claim to be adjudicated.

In the coming weeks, Chutkan will decide which elements of the indictment, obtained by Special Counsel Jack Smith, must be dismissed. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that former presidents are entitled to broad immunity for official actions taken while in office. Trump maintains his not-guilty plea on four counts of conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election outcomes.

Chutkan also denied Trump's October motion to dismiss the charges on statutory grounds but noted he could file anew post-resolution of immunity issues. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the immunity claim hindered the criminal case from going to trial before the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. Chutkan previously assured Trump roughly 90 days for trial preparation once the case recommences, predicting a trial duration of six to eight weeks. Trump, the first former president to face criminal prosecution, is contesting the Republican nomination while Vice President Kamala Harris secured her Democratic nomination.