U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has issued a detailed schedule for the next steps in the prosecution of former President Donald Trump, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that he is immune from prosecution for “official acts” performed while in office. The ruling, however, does not cover private acts or those outside his core constitutional powers.

Judge Chutkan’s timeline closely follows the recommendations made by Special Counsel Jack Smith, rejecting Trump’s legal team’s proposal, which sought to extend pretrial proceedings well into 2025 — after the upcoming presidential election.

Trump is facing charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. He pleaded not guilty to all charges but waived his court appearance earlier this week.

Key Dates and Filings
**Sept. 10**: Federal prosecutors must turn over all required evidence to Trump’s legal team.
**Sept. 26**: Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team will submit their opening brief on the issue of presidential immunity, which will include new information not included in the original indictment.
**Oct. 17**: Trump’s legal team must respond to the immunity arguments and file their own motions to dismiss the indictment based on these grounds.
**Oct. 24**: Deadline for Trump to file a motion challenging the constitutionality of Special Counsel Smith’s appointment and funding.
**Oct. 29-31**: The government will file its reply to Trump’s legal team’s motions.

 Chutkan’s order sets the stage for significant legal battles over presidential immunity, particularly around whether Trump’s conversations with then-Vice President Mike Pence after the 2020 election are protected.

Trump’s attorney, John Lauro, has argued that those discussions should be considered official acts, and therefore, immune from prosecution.

However, Judge Chutkan suggested these acts may fall under “presumptive immunity,” which can be challenged by prosecutors.

Supreme Court’s Impact on the Case
The Supreme Court previously ruled that while presidents enjoy absolute immunity for their core official acts, this does not extend to acts outside their exclusive authority.

Chutkan will now decide on whether Trump’s post-election actions — including attempts to pressure state officials and Pence qualify for immunity.

The special counsel has revised the indictment to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling, but the debate over what constitutes an “official act” remains central to the case.

A Trial Before 2024 Election?
Despite Trump’s legal team’s efforts to push proceedings past the November 2024 election, Judge Chutkan made it clear that the court’s decisions will not be influenced by political timelines. “The electoral process is not relevant here,” she told Trump’s attorney, emphasizing that the focus will remain on the legal merits, not the political implications.

While discussions of an eventual trial date remain premature, the case is expected to face further delays, especially if immunity rulings are appealed. With major filings scheduled throughout the fall, the legal battle will likely continue into 2024, making this one of the most closely watched cases heading into the presidential election.