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Judge Chutkan Approves Special Counsel's Expanded Evidence Brief in Trump Criminal Case

Judge Chutkan Approves Special Counsel's Expanded Evidence Brief in Trump Criminal Case

Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to submit a 180-page brief packed with evidence in the criminal case against Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., rejecting Trump’s cl

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Brett Meiselas
Sep 24, 2024
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Judge Chutkan Approves Special Counsel's Expanded Evidence Brief in Trump Criminal Case
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A compilation of two photos: (1) Donald Trump, mouth agape against a black background; (2) Federal Judge Tanya S. Chutkan in courtroom
Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock.com; Ann Wilkins/District of Columbia Circuit Court

In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request to submit an oversized 180-page brief containing substantial evidence in the ongoing criminal case against former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. The decision comes despite objections from Trump’s legal team, who argued that the brief would be unfairly timed ahead of the 2024 election.

The brief, part of the legal debate surrounding Trump’s immunity claims, will contain a detailed factual proffer, along with numerous exhibits related to Trump’s alleged conduct. This evidence is intended to assist the court in conducting a close and fact-specific analysis, a directive handed down by the Supreme Court after remanding the case for further proceedings.

Judge Chutkan, in her ruling, emphasized that Trump’s political concerns over the timing of the evidence release had no bearing on the court’s decision. She noted that the judicial process must proceed without regard to the election calendar, stating, “what needs to happen before or shouldn’t happen before the election is not relevant here.”

Trump’s legal team had also objected to the length of the brief, pointing out that it would quadruple the standard page limits in the district. However, Judge Chutkan dismissed this argument, noting the "challenging" and fact-bound nature of the issues that required such a comprehensive filing.

Trump’s defense additionally raised concerns over potential political consequences, arguing that the brief’s release could influence public opinion and impact his candidacy. They further contended that the submission amounted to a premature Special Counsel report, in violation of Department of Justice policy. Judge Chutkan rejected these claims, asserting that they did not show any legal prejudice to Trump.

The ruling marks another step forward in the complex and highly scrutinized legal proceedings against Trump, where questions of immunity and the scope of presidential powers are being fiercely debated. With the court now set to review the comprehensive brief, the case moves one step closer to resolving these key constitutional and legal questions.

Judge Chutkan's order also denied Trump’s repeated requests to delay the pretrial schedule, ensuring that the case will continue to move forward expeditiously.

Read the full order here.


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