A federal judge has denied former President Donald Trump's latest attempt to have the election subversion case against him dismissed. The case, brought by special counsel Jack Smith, has been returned to Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, DC following a Supreme Court ruling granting Trump immunity for official acts as president.
Judge Chutkan dismissed arguments from Trump's attorneys that the prosecution was unfair, emphasizing that the charges against Trump involve making false statements in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy and obstruction of election certification proceedings, rather than merely contesting election results.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he is being unfairly targeted by President Joe Biden and the Justice Department, alleging political motivations behind the case. However, Judge Chutkan found no merit in Trump's assertions that Biden influenced the prosecution.
Furthermore, the judge rejected Trump's argument that the case in Washington was retaliatory due to his not guilty plea in a separate case in Florida, which was recently dismissed. Chutkan clarified that the charges in the Washington case are distinct from those in Florida, focusing on Trump's alleged efforts to obstruct the electoral certification process.
Setting a hearing for August 16, Judge Chutkan will determine the next steps for the case. The ruling underscores the legal proceedings surrounding Trump's actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the ongoing scrutiny of his conduct during his presidency.
