Trump’s Race Against the Calendar

The Economist: “The calendar may have figured prominently in the decision to limit the case to Mr Trump for now. Mr Smith emphasized his desire for ‘a speedy trial’—presumably one that might be held before the November 2024 election. A half-dozen extra defendants would almost certainly have put that goal out of reach.”

“Yet much could depend on the outcome of that vote. Even with charges limited to a single defendant and a quick schedule set by the judge, Tanya Chutkan, time will be on Mr Trump’s side if he wins the election. Sitting presidents are immune from criminal prosecution, meaning all Mr Trump’s pending trials and appeals—the two federal indictments, as well as state charges related to hush-money payments in New York (the Stormy Daniels case), and possible election-fraud charges in Georgia—would be placed on hold. Final resolution of his legal troubles could be delayed until 2029 or beyond. On the other hand, should Mr Trump lose again, the cases will proceed as normal.”