Delay looks almost inevitable in Trump Jan. 6 trial after judge issues new ruling: expert

Donald Trump’s March 4th court date in his election interference trial looks likely to be pushed back on the heels of a new order from the federal judge overseeing the case, legal experts said Thursday.

Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan raised timeline questions in her order barring special counsel Jack Smith from filing motions until a decision is made on Trump’s presidential immunity challenge, court records show.

Chutkan noted the seven months’ prep time she’d granted Trump’s team was effectively paused in December when they appealed her ruling that presidential immunity did not protect him.

Attorney Andrew Weissmann said her ruling “signals that 3/4 trial date will need to be put off when case comes back to her.”

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Politico estimates a months-long delay could be possible if the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals isn’t quick to issue its ruling on the immunity Trump wants to claim.

The ruling also denied Trump's motion to hold special counsel Jack Smith in contempt for presenting motions during the stay.