Former President Trump's trial stemming from special counsel Jack Smith's 2020 election interference investigation has been delayed indefinitely, Fox News has learned.
The trial was set to begin March 4, a day before the critical Super Tuesday primaries, when Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont vote to select a Republican candidate.
Washington, D.C., Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday formally vacated the March 4 trial date, saying the court “will set a new schedule when the injunction is returned.”
Former President Donald Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Trump's immunity claims in the criminal election interference case against him. (Getty Images)
A federal appeals court is considering Trump's claim for presidential immunity from prosecution for his actions in office. A ruling is expected from that court and the Supreme Court could eventually review the matter.
The delay comes after Smith asked the Supreme Court in December to rule on whether Trump can be prosecuted on charges related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Additionally, Trump's lawyers filed a motion urging Chutkan to stay proceedings against Trump in the Jan. 6 case while his appeal is pending.
Chutkan said in December that he has no jurisdiction over the matter while it is pending before the Supreme Court, and put a pause on the case against the 2024 Republican front-runner until the high court determines his involvement.
Smith accused the former president of conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction and attempted obstruction of an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Those charges arose from Smith's investigation into whether Trump was involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, and any alleged interference in the outcome of the 2020 election.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in August 2023.
