When is the hearing for the Trump election interference case? Does he have to attend?

The federal election interference case against former President Donald Trump is set to move forward with a hearing scheduled for August 16. This development comes after months of legal maneuvering and a significant Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

The case, overseen by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, centres on allegations that Trump attempted to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. Special Counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with four criminal counts, including conspiracy to obstruct Congress and attempting to use the Justice Department to overturn the election results.

The upcoming hearing marks a crucial step in the legal proceedings, as it will establish a timeline for pretrial activities. Judge Chutkan has ordered both the defense and prosecution teams to submit a status report by August 9, outlining their proposed schedule for the case.

Does Trump have to attend?

No. This is typical for pretrial conferences, where legal teams discuss procedural matters and scheduling.

While the hearing represents progress in the case, it remains unlikely that a trial will occur before the 2024 presidential election. The process of determining which charges can be brought against Trump could potentially take up to a year.

Why the Supreme Court ruling is so significant

This hearing follows the recent Supreme Court decision that determined former presidents have some immunity for official acts conducted while in office, but not for unofficial acts. The high court has tasked Judge Chutkan with deciding which of Trump’s alleged actions are considered official and thus protected from prosecution.