Internet furious as judge scraps trial date in Donald Trump's DC election interference case amid immunity claims

WASHINGTON, DC: A Federal judge overseeing President Donald Trump's election interference case ordered suspending the March 4 trial date in light of his claims for absolute presidential immunity, reported The New York Times.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan gave the former president confirmation on Friday, February 2, adding she will set a new trial date "if and when" Trump's immunity claims are resolved.

The trial that originated from Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the ex-president's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results was set to begin a day before the crucial Super Tuesday when 16 states will vote to select their GOP presidential nominee.

Decision on Donald Trump's presidential immunity claims pending

A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard an oral argument on the Republican frontrunner's immunity claims on January 9. However, the panel expressed skepticism over Trump's position and has yet to issue a formal ruling.

The delay comes amid Special Counsel Smith's seeking to advance the appeal courts and requesting the Supreme Court to consider the matter immediately. Nevertheless, the move was denied so the three-court panel of the DC Circuit could review the matter first.

Trump's legal team, on the other hand, says that the ex-president could only be tried by prosecutors of the Senate first convict him in the impeachment process.

Judge Chutkan last year rejected the immunity claims, stating, "Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong 'get-out-of-jail-free' pass. Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability."

Arguments for immunity over his actions while being in the White House also made a place in Trump's campaign speeches. Infamously invoking "rogue cops" and "bad apple" to back the claim, Trump is ready to go to any extent to protect himself ahead of the presidential election, which will likely be a rematch with his successor Joe Biden.

Internet furious over Judge Chutkan's decision 

Furious over the judge's decision to nix the March trial date, netizens pointed out that a delay was precisely what Trump wanted.

One user remarked on Facebook, "Exactly what he was after."

Another user said, "Unacceptable. Shoplifters get locked up in months. Try and steal a government and the Courts move at a glacial pace."

"Justice delayed is justice denied," a third user commented. Another added, "What a joke! Needing more time to find evidence hiding in plain sight?"

One user wrote on X, "Ugh. Delays is what Trump wants. Get stepping, judges!"

"Americans have the RIGHT to hear DOJ’S trial evidence BEFORE the ELECTION," responded another outraged user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.