Judge pauses Trump Jan. 6 case as he appeals immunity claims

The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's Jan. 6 case on Wednesday paused proceedings in the prosecution amid his appeal claiming presidential immunity.

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the order, which "automatically stays any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on Defendant," The Hill reported.

Special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump in August with conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and asserted that the case is part of a broader political witch hunt seeking to derail his candidacy.

Trump's attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche had asked Chutkan to pause the proceedings last week, saying that "[t]he filing of President Trump’s notice of appeal has deprived this Court of jurisdiction over this case in its entirety pending resolution of the appeal."

That request followed Chutkan herself rejecting Trump's immunity claims.

"Defendant's four-year service as Commander in Chief did not bestow on him the divine right of kings to evade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens," she wrote.

While Trump appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Smith this week asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter and decide on Trump's immunity claims.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.