Let The Trial Begin

'Wow': MSNBC host stunned by legal expert's proposal for Trump Jan. 6 trial strategyhttps://t.co/w5G0q3xTRa

— Raw Story (@RawStory) June 30, 2024

I wondered what would stop Judge Chutkan from setting the trial this year, provided the Supremes don’t give Trump absolute immunity. Former Judge Luttig says I was right: nothing but the court’s calendar.

As Luttig told the MSNBC host, while there are political considerations involved in starting a trial that could run through the election, there is no legal reason stopping special counsel Jack Smith from asking for the trial to start as soon as possible -- politics be damned. 

"The politics of the moment will all but demand that Jack Smith forgo trial before the election, and until after the election," Luttig told the MSNBC host before adding, "But I would urge Jack Smith, in the strongest possible terms today not to yield to that cynical partisan politics, and to bring this case on for trial even in September or October," at which point Velshi blurted, "Wow,' as Luttig continued, "In the name of, and for the sake of American democracy, the Constitution and rule of law." 

"Judge, is there any chance if Jack Smith hears this and takes your guidance on this that Tanya Chutkan will allow it to happen?" Velshi pressed. 

"Yes, there is every chance in the world that Judge Chutkan would allow that to happen, Ali," the retired judge replied.

Election interference? Trump brought it on himself. The court has no obligation to respect the political calendar. And this was a not starting or announcing an investigation prior to an election, so DOJ guidelines don’t apply.

If the court has room on the calendar, might as well get it done.