During a recent hearing in the Georgia election interference case, Steve Sadow, former President Trump’s lead attorney, faced probing questions from Judge Scott McAfee about the potential impact of Trump’s status as a 2024 candidate on the trial. Sadow, appearing alongside other defendants’ lawyers, provided insight into the upcoming legal battles as Trump defends himself against 13 counts.
According to The Hill, prosecutors aim to commence the trial in August for Trump and co-defendants not accepting plea deals. Concerns about a trial coinciding with Election Day prompted Sadow to advocate for a delay. In response to McAfee’s hypothetical query about a 2024 election win, Sadow asserted that, under the Supremacy Clause and presidential duties, the trial wouldn’t occur until after Trump’s term.
Sadow highlighted Trump’s polling lead in the Republican primary, expressing concern that the nominee might be hindered in campaigning due to courtroom proceedings. He argued that such a situation would constitute unprecedented election interference. However, special prosecutor Nathan Wade refuted this claim, emphasizing that the trial was not interference but part of Fulton County’s legal proceedings.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s office charged 19 defendants, including Trump, alleging involvement in a criminal enterprise to overturn the 2020 election. Four defendants have pleaded guilty. District Attorney Fani Willis pushed for a joint trial starting on August 5, 2024, with McAfee considering the possibility of splitting the defendants into two groups.
Sadow informed the judge that Rep. Scott Perry is expected to be a witness, having communicated with former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, another defendant. Additionally, Sadow mentioned filing a motion based on presidential immunity, echoing an argument used in Trump’s federal election 2020 case in Washington, D.C., where he faces four felony counts and pleaded not guilty.