Amid an appeal to dismiss, Trump's January 6 court case was temporarily suspended

Donald Trump's trial for his actions on January 6, 2021, was temporarily suspended. Judge Tanya Chutkan decided this after the former president appealed a decision by the judge that denied him the dismissal of the case due to presidential immunity and rights protected by the First Amendment. The situation could delay the start of the trial, scheduled for March 4, 2024.

According to the text that the judge signed, "any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on Defendant."

The order came after Trump appealed a decision by Chutkan, who denied a request to dismiss all accusations against him. He asked that activity in the case be halted while his appeal proceeds. The presidential candidate argued that the case should be stayed on the grounds of presidential immunity and First Amendment rights, which his legal team said would protect him from the accusations against him.

Trump celebrated the decision

Steven Cheung, campaign spokesman for the former president, weighed in on Truth Social following the announcement. "This is a big win for President Trump and our rule of law, as it derails Deranged Jack Smith's rush to judgment strategy of interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election in support of Joe Biden's campaign," he wrote.

"They waited almost three years to bring this hoax' case' and are now desperately trying, and failing, to rush it because they know President Trump is dominating the election. The constitution should not be suspended in a baseless prosecution against the leading candidate for President," he added.

This could delay the start of the trial, which is scheduled for March 4, 2024, with the Republican primaries already in full swing. The GOP's electoral calendar will begin on January 15 with the Iowa presidential caucuses, which will coincide with Martin Luther King Day.

The decision of the local Republican Party advances the start of the nomination race by at least three weeks with respect to the 2020 and 2016 cycles while returning to the estimated dates of 2012 and 2008. Weeks later, on Tuesday, January 23, it will be New Hampshire's turn, . The third state to vote will be South Carolina, whose Republicans will go to the polls in mid-February.

Regarding the trial date, Chutkan noted that although its timelines "remain on hold," it is possible that the start may ultimately have to be postponed.

"If jurisdiction is returned to this court, it will — consistent with its duty to ensure both a speedy trial and fairness for all parties — consider at that time whether to retain or continue the dates of any still-future deadlines and proceedings, including the trial scheduled for March 4, 2024," he wrote.