Trump team touts 'big win' after judge pauses Jan. 6 case

Former President Donald Trump's campaign is celebrating Judge Tanya Chutkan's pause in special counsel Jack Smith's Jan. 6 case while the former president appeals his presidential immunity claims.

Chutkan on Wednesday ordered the pause, which "automatically stays any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on Defendant." Chutkan denied Trump's immunity claims, prompting his appeal to the D.C. Appeals Court and his legal team's request for a pause. Special counsel Jack Smith has asked the Supreme Court to decide the matter.

Trump's campaign hailed the development, with spokesman Steven Cheung saying "[t]his is a big win for President Trump and our rule of law, as it derails Deranged Jack Smith’s rush to judgment strategy of interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election in support of Joe Biden’s campaign," The Hill reported.

"They waited almost three years to bring this hoax ‘case’ and are now desperately trying, and failing, to rush it because they know President Trump is dominating the election. The constitution should not be suspended in a baseless prosecution against the leading candidate for President," Cheung went on. "The American people, not the courts, should decide who becomes president, and they are supporting President Trump in historic numbers."

Trump has argued that the case ought to be dismissed on grounds of presidential immunity and the First Amendment. Smith has charged 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.

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