GOP nominee Donald Trump got some more good legal news over the weekend in the form of unsolicited counsel from a former U.S. attorney, Joyce Vance, who stated on Monday that it is unlikely former Trump’s trial in Washington, D.C., will occur before the November election.
Trump is facing four felony counts related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan had canceled the initial March trial date while Trump’s appeal on immunity was still pending. On “Morning Joe,” Vance stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling on Trump’s appeal ensures the trial will not take place before the election.
“There’s absolutely no chance this one is getting to trial, Jonathan,” Vance told host Jonathan Lemire. “And that’s because the way the Supreme Court structured this decision, Judge Chutkan will make her rulings and if she permits any of the charges to go forward, any of the allegations in the indictment to remain in place, indicates that the government can use any of this evidence, despite Trump’s claims that it’s all now cloaked in presidential immunity, there will be a round two appeal.
“Because the way immunity works, and the Supreme Court makes this clear, is the whole point of having immunity is you shouldn’t have to stand trial for charges that you have immunity from. So Trump will inevitably take objection to anything that she permits to move forward … This case will not happen quickly,” she added.
WATCH:
Former US Attorney Tells MSNBC ‘There’s Absolutely No Chance’ Trump’s DC Trial Happens Before Election pic.twitter.com/JWE4Z6daAb
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 5, 2024
The Supreme Court ruled in July that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for “official acts” performed in office. “Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority,” the court held in a 6-3 ruling. “And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
