Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, has been convicted of 34 felony counts related to the New York hush-money case. While this marks a significant legal blow, the road ahead is filled with appeals and ongoing legal battles. Alongside the New York case, Trump faces three other major cases: two federal cases led by special counsel Jack Smith, including election interference and mishandling classified documents, and the Georgia election interference case brought by Fani Willis. Each case has encountered its own delays and complexities. To help track the ever-evolving situation, we provide regular updates on the latest legal developments in Keeping Up With the Trump Trials. told by Slate.
Jack Smith Pushes Back Against Trump’s Presidential Immunity Defense
One of the biggest legal moves last week came from special counsel Jack Smith in his case related to the January 6 Capitol riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith submitted a court filing that challenges the idea that presidential immunity should protect Trump from prosecution. This is the first formal argument over presidential immunity since a July Supreme Court ruling that granted former presidents immunity for certain “official” actions taken while in office.
In Smith’s case, the Supreme Court decision means Trump’s conversations with the Justice Department cannot be used as part of the charges against him. However, the court also left room for lower courts to determine whether other acts fall under “presumptive immunity.” Smith’s latest filing seeks to make that determination.
This court filing remains sealed from the public, as it contains sensitive information, including grand jury testimony, materials from search warrants, and witness interviews. The filing supports Smith’s superseding indictment, which recharges Trump with the same four counts but omits references to Trump’s attempts to use the Department of Justice to challenge the election results. report from Newsweek.
To balance transparency, prosecutors prepared a redacted version of the document, excluding the names of individuals to protect potential witnesses from threats or harassment. While the public has not seen these details yet, Smith requested Judge Tanya Chutkan to release the redacted version, allowing Trump’s defense team time to object. They have until Tuesday to challenge Smith’s request and until October 10 to dispute the proposed redactions for documentary exhibits.
Trump’s $450 Million Civil Fraud Judgment Enters Appeal Stage
While his criminal cases proceed, Trump is also appealing a civil fraud judgment in New York. Earlier this year, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $450 million in damages after finding that he lied about the value of his real estate holdings. Trump’s legal team is fighting the decision, arguing last week before a five-judge appeals panel.
Trump’s lawyer, John Sauer, claimed the case violated the statute of limitations, as New York Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation focused on financial documents spanning from 2011 to 2021. Sauer also argued that the case lacked merit, asserting that there were no victims or complaints. “There are no victims, no complaints, no evidence of causation, [or] materiality,” Sauer argued during the oral hearing.
In contrast, the Attorney General’s office defended the judgment, insisting that Trump’s fraudulent real estate valuations did harm the public and financial markets. By inflating the value of the Trump Organization’s assets, the company secured loans, favorable insurance rates, and tax benefits that it would not have otherwise obtained. The AG’s office estimated that this fraud led to over $360 million in illegal profits.
The appeals panel, however, seemed interested in whether the law used by Attorney General James was appropriately applied. One of the judges, Associate Justice David Friedman, questioned if the law had been used before to challenge business transactions between sophisticated private parties, signaling that the panel may scrutinize the broader legal framework of the case.
As Trump’s legal team works to overturn the civil fraud judgment and combat his criminal indictments, the legal battles ahead are poised to be long and complex. Each case holds significant implications not just for Trump but for the broader political and legal landscape, making these developments crucial to follow.
