He’s not going to let this slide.
Former President Donald Trump has taken steps to appeal a recent ruling denying his immunity from prosecution in the federal election case slated for trial in March.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing the election interference case against Trump, delivered the ruling last Friday, rejecting his motion to dismiss the D.C. indictment based on claims of presidential immunity and constitutional grounds. Chutkan asserted that the former president didn’t possess absolute immunity for actions taken while in office.
In a subsequent filing on Thursday, Trump’s legal team sought a halt to all further proceedings in the case until the appeal is resolved, citing D.C. Circuit Court and Supreme Court precedents requiring such a stay.
Trump’s lawyers requested a response within seven days on the motion for a stay, contending that ongoing proceedings in the absence of jurisdiction inflict irreparable harm.
Additionally, Trump urged Chutkan to issue a temporary administrative stay to facilitate seeking a comprehensive stay from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Last week, Chutkan dismissed two motions by Trump’s legal team aiming to dismiss the indictment. The first motion challenging absolute immunity for presidential acts without prior impeachment was rejected. The second motion, asserting no violation of the First Amendment in the indictment, was also dismissed.
Chutkan has scheduled the trial for March 4, potentially aligning with the GOP presidential primary cycle and Super Tuesday. However, potential delays in case deadlines due to a stay and an extended appeals process might push the trial to a later date.
In a separate ruling last Friday, a federal appeals court denied Trump’s attempt to dismiss civil claims holding him accountable for the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The court ruled that claims of presidential immunity do not apply to this matter.
