Trump’s Jan. 6 Case Resumes — Days After He Claimed A Right To ‘Interfere’ In The Election
Huff PostAn image of a mock gallows on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is shown as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing. via Associated Press WASHINGTON ― A federal judge on Thursday is holding her first hearing in Donald Trump’s criminal case for his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt, following a Supreme Court ruling that gave the former president immunity for “official acts” — and just days after he claimed he had “every right” to do what he did. The morning hearing, which Trump is not expected to attend, comes just four days after Trump told Fox News’ Mark Levin: “Whoever heard — you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election, where you have every right to do it, and your poll numbers go up?” After regaining control of the case last month, Chutkan immediately scheduled a status conference to hear how prosecutors and Trump’s lawyer envision going forward, in light of the Supreme Court immunity decision. In a filing last week, Smith said he is prepared to move forward quickly to reveal to Trump and to the court “additional unpled categories of evidence.” Smith intends to use this evidence to back up his argument that the new indictment does not intrude on any of Trump’s “official” actions as president, for which the Supreme Court ruled he can’t be prosecuted. “The court should take every reasonable step possible to resolve the case on legal grounds, before permitting an invasive public inquiry regarding President Trump’s official conduct while in office,” John Lauro and Todd Blanche wrote.