"Judge Denies Trump's Request to Hold Special Counsel Jack Smith in Contempt in Election Interference Case"

A judge overseeing the federal election interference case against former President Donald Trump has rejected his request to hold special counsel Jack Smith in contempt for filing motions while the case is stayed pending Trump’s appeal on presidential immunity grounds. The judge agreed with Trump that Smith’s filings place a burden on him, but instead of holding Smith in contempt, she has ordered that both parties seek her permission before filing additional pre-trial motions while the stay order remains in effect. Trump is waiting for a ruling by a federal appeals court in a case in which he argues that he's immune from being prosecuted over his election interference efforts because he was president at the time, and the trial in the election case is scheduled to begin on March 4.