Former United States President Donald Trump’s defence team questioned the legitimacy of the proceedings during a tense hearing in Washington, DC, where he faces four felony counts related to the 2020 US presidential election. The defence lawyer, John Lauro, cast doubt on the charges and the timing of the case, suggesting that Trump may be facing an illegitimate indictment. He also referenced a recent Supreme Court decision granting presumptive immunity to presidential actions as a reason to dismiss the case. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan refuted these claims and maintained focus on the criminal counts at hand.
The hearing, one of the first in nearly a year, saw Lauro and Chutkan engaging in a sharp exchange regarding the fairness of the proceedings and the potential delay of the trial until after the 2024 presidential election. Chutkan dismissed any concerns about the electoral schedule, emphasizing that her priority was the pending charges against Trump. The case had been delayed multiple times as courts considered Trump’s immunity from prosecution, following a Supreme Court ruling that granted presumptive immunity to some presidential actions.
The updated indictment against Trump focused on actions deemed “unofficial”, such as his conduct as a presidential candidate and his campaign’s activities. The four counts he faces include conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, among others. These charges stem from Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results and his alleged role in pressuring officials to alter the outcome.
At the hearing, Trump’s defence team reiterated his plea of not guilty, while also suggesting that the recent Supreme Court decision could impact the case. However, Judge Chutkan made it clear that she would ultimately decide on the matter, maintaining a firm stance throughout the proceedings.
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