Former President Donald Trump has been navigating the legal proceedings of his federal election subversion case, strategically avoiding direct encounters with DC District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Trump's arraignment took place before DC Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya on August 3, 2023, as is customary before a federal judge assumes control of the case.
Despite two hearings being held before Judge Chutkan, Trump opted to waive his appearance for both, including today's scheduled hearing. Furthermore, his legal team has effectively postponed the trial until after the 2024 presidential election, with no trial date currently set.
In a separate instance, Trump did participate in oral arguments regarding his presidential immunity claims in January 2024 at the same courthouse where Judge Chutkan presides. However, this hearing was conducted before a panel of three judges on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Today's status conference marks the first hearing in Trump's election subversion case following the Supreme Court's ruling that granted Trump partial immunity in the proceedings. Additionally, this hearing comes on the heels of prosecutors filing a superseding indictment against Trump in the case just last week.
