Amid the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, former President Donald Trump's lawyers have asked for more time to meet court deadlines, citing operational disruptions.
Newsweek reported that on Monday, Donald Trump's attorneys approached Judge Tanya Chutkan with a request to extend the filing deadline for their client’s response to a motion related to presidential immunity.
Trump's legal team argued that the disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton necessitated this delay.
The specific filings in question address Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution over actions taken while he was in office. These are crucial to his ongoing legal battles, particularly concerning his attempts to dismiss cases based on this defense.
While Trump’s campaign has announced that the extension until November 21 was granted, official confirmation from Judge Chutkan’s office remains pending.
Earlier this month, Hurricane Milton struck Florida, causing significant devastation including at least 16 deaths and extensive power outages. This natural disaster followed closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which impacted six states and resulted in over 200 fatalities.
The severity of these hurricanes has had widespread effects on numerous operations, including legal proceedings.
The delay request by Trump’s team highlights the broader disruptions caused by such natural events.
Trump’s legal motions and requests for extensions are not new in the context of his legal strategy, often viewed by critics as attempts to prolong court proceedings.
In a landmark decision on July 1, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that presidents do enjoy a certain degree of immunity for acts performed during their tenure. This ruling is central to Trump’s defense strategy in the cases charged by special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump faces accusations from Smith related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot. Trump has consistently denied the charges, branding them a "political witch hunt."
Despite this Supreme Court ruling, Trump’s requests for additional evidence from prosecutors and other delay tactics have been largely curtailed by Judge Chutkan, who recently dismissed several of his broader demands.
Amidst these legal battles, Trump's attorneys have also sought delays in discovery proceedings. They argued that these should be postponed until the government submits a new opening brief, a point that Judge Chutkan has scrutinized.
This stance by the judge was highlighted during a session where she challenged Trump’s attorney, John Lauro, about why the time granted to special counsel couldn’t be used to discuss undiscovered materials related to immunity.
Chutkan’s straightforward approach in court has been to ensure that legal proceedings continue without undue delays, famously remarking, “We can all walk and chew gum at the same time.”
Throughout these proceedings, political tensions have been evident. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump's campaign, accused Vice President Kamala Harris and her allies of using the justice system as a tool for election interference against Trump, whom he described as their "chief political opponent."
This claim reflects the ongoing political battle and the charged atmosphere surrounding Trump’s legal challenges.
Legal analyst Kimberly Atkins Stohr noted that these tactics seemed designed to stall the trial’s progress, forcing prosecutors to turn over more evidence.
The intertwining of legal and political strategies is expected to continue as the cases progress, particularly as the election season heats up.
