Special counsel Jack Smith's investigation has revealed new insights into former President Donald Trump's inaction during the January 6 Capitol riot. Testimonies from Trump's close aides, including Dan Scavino and Nick Luna, indicate that Trump was disinterested in stopping the violence and even showed indifference to Vice President Mike Pence's safety. Despite urgent pleas from his staff, Trump remained focused on the belief that the election was stolen. The investigation's findings suggest a deeper level of nonchalance and detachment from Trump than previously known, raising questions about his conduct and responsibility during the events of January 6.
Special counsel Jack Smith's team has countered former President Donald Trump's legal team's motion to hold Smith in contempt for allegedly violating court deadlines. Smith's office asserts they complied with the court's order by continuing to provide discovery as previously scheduled and that Trump's claims of partisanship and misconduct are unfounded. The case is currently on hold while an appeals court reviews Trump's claim of presidential immunity, with a hearing on the matter set for the following week.
Special counsel Jack Smith's team filed a response to former President Donald Trump's legal team's motion to hold Smith in contempt for allegedly violating court deadlines. Smith's office maintains that they complied with the court's order and continued to voluntarily meet deadlines to facilitate the resumption of the pretrial schedule after the appeals court decision. Trump's team had accused Smith of partisanship and prosecutorial misconduct, which Smith's office called baseless. The appeals court is set to hear arguments soon, with the possibility of the case reaching the Supreme Court.
Special counsel Jack Smith has countered former President Donald Trump's motion to hold him in contempt regarding the January 6 federal election interference case, labeling Trump's claims as "false" and "baseless." Smith asserts that his team's continued submissions and compliance with discovery obligations, despite a stay in the case, do not violate the court's order and are not politically motivated. Trump's legal team argues that the stay should prevent any filings, accusing Smith of acting "lawlessly." The dispute centers on the pace of the trial and Trump's allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, while Smith maintains that the case is being handled fairly and without political bias. Trump, who faces four counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding, has pleaded not guilty.
The DC appeals court is set to review the constitutionality of Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment in the case against former President Donald Trump. Ed Meese, a former attorney general, filed a brief arguing that Smith's appointment by Attorney General Merrick Garland violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, as Smith is a private citizen and not properly appointed as a federal officer. The court has signaled it is taking the amicus briefs seriously and will address these issues during oral arguments. Meese contends that Smith lacks the authority to conduct the prosecution and that his appointment should be invalidated.
Former President Donald Trump's legal team has filed a motion to hold Special Counsel Jack Smith in contempt of court, accusing him of violating a stay order in the investigation into Trump's alleged interference in the 2020 election. Trump's attorneys argue that the stay order halts all substantive proceedings, yet claim Smith's team continued legal actions, including serving discovery documents and filing motions. Trump's team contends that Smith's actions are politically motivated and seek to use the court as a tool against Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot. The motion requests that Smith withdraw his filings and be sanctioned monetarily for the alleged violations.
Former President Donald Trump's legal team is attempting to delay his federal election interference trial, arguing that special counsel Jack Smith and prosecutors should be held in contempt for continuing legal actions despite a stay in proceedings. Trump's lawyer, John Lauro, insists the trial should be postponed until 2026 and accuses prosecutors of partisan misconduct. The special counsel's office has been meeting pretrial deadlines to ensure a prompt trial if the court's stay is lifted. Trump's campaign has attacked Smith, framing Trump's actions as a duty to investigate the 2020 election, while Smith's team alleges Trump was acting in personal interest. The trial is currently scheduled for March 4, 2024, but Trump's team is seeking to extend this date.
Donald Trump's legal team has requested that Judge Tanya Chutkan hold special counsel Jack Smith and his prosecutors in contempt for continuing to file submissions after a stay order was issued in the January 6 case. Trump's lawyers argue that the filings violate the stay and are seeking sanctions, including monetary penalties and a prohibition on further filings from Smith's office. Trump faces charges of conspiring to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Smith's office has not commented on the matter.
Donald Trump's legal team has accused Special Counsel Jack Smith of violating a court order by continuing legal actions during Trump's appeal in the January 6 election-interference case. Despite a stay, Smith's team allegedly filed new motions and served evidence, prompting Trump to seek a contempt ruling against Smith from US District Judge Tanya Chutkan.
Special counsel Jack Smith has countered former President Donald Trump's claim of immunity from criminal prosecution in a court filing, arguing that such immunity would dangerously allow presidents to commit crimes to stay in office. The filing is part of the federal election subversion case, with oral arguments set for January 9. Trump has appealed a lower court's decision that he is not entitled to immunity for actions taken while president, pleading not guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States. Smith's office warns that Trump's broad immunity theory could lead to a president being above the law, even in extreme criminal scenarios.
Special counsel Jack Smith has filed an 80-page brief urging the appeals court to dismiss former President Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in his federal election interference case. Trump's lawyers argue that a president cannot be criminally prosecuted for official acts without impeachment and conviction by the Senate. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that immunity does not protect Trump from the charges. The appeals court, with Judges Henderson, Childs, and Pan, will hear arguments on January 9, potentially delaying the trial set for March 4. Trump faces four counts of criminal conduct for allegedly trying to overturn his election loss and maintains his entitlement to immunity.
