A federal judge overseeing the case against former President Donald Trump in Florida has temporarily halted several court deadlines to consider presidential immunity issues.
Trump’s legal team filed a motion on Friday seeking a “partial stay of further proceedings” in response to charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
These charges include 37 felony counts related to possession of classified materials, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements, to which Trump has pleaded not guilty.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted the motion on Saturday, scheduling arguments to address Trump’s immunity claims and the implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling.
The ruling in Trump v. United States clarified that a former president has significant immunity from prosecution for official acts performed in office but not for unofficial acts.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority in the 6-3 decision, emphasized that the president does not enjoy immunity for actions deemed unofficial, distinguishing between official and unofficial presidential conduct. The Supreme Court did not directly address whether Trump is immune from prosecution concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, leaving that determination to the lower courts.
The case has garnered significant attention as it navigates the complex legal terrain of presidential immunity and the specific charges against Trump.
Both parties now have two weeks to prepare briefs, during which further proceedings in the case will remain paused pending Judge Cannon’s decision.
