Trump's processes: What's the latest news and updates? - Los Angeles Times

Washington - As he fights to return to the White House, former President Trump faces criminal prosecution in four separate lawsuits. He also had two civil trials that resulted in multi-million dollar fines.

Here's what's going on with things as primary elections across the country are cited, and what to expect in the coming weeks.

The Supreme Court reviews presidential immunity.

In agreeing to consider presidential immunity this week, the Supreme Court dealt a crushing blow to special prosecutor Jack Smith's plans to prosecute Trump for his efforts to disrupt the 2020 presidential election. Set for early next week, the trial could be delayed until after the 2024 presidential election.

The judge in the case, Tanya Chutkan, rejected Trump's claim of immunity from prosecution for committing "official acts" while in office. She said the Constitution does not grant former presidents absolute immunity for past crimes.

In December, Smith urged the Supreme Court to expedite the issue so it could be resolved by March. The justices refused and sent the request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which took up the issue until early February and ruled against Trump. He quickly appealed to the Supreme Court, which announced Wednesday that it would hear arguments on the issue during the week of April 22.

The trial will be put on hold until the presidential immunity issue is resolved, and Trump's lawyers have said they will need several weeks to prepare if they are allowed to move forward with the trial. They could even raise new objections, which could further delay the trial.

In addition to procedural hurdles, the Justice Department has a policy of avoiding new criminal prosecutions that could affect the upcoming election, which could interfere with the fall process involving the expected Republican nominee.

All of this suggests that even if Trump ultimately loses in court, he may already have an advantage at the polls.

Classified documents.

Some of the other potential hurdles that could arise in a lawsuit to topple the 2020 election will soon be addressed in a case involving Trump's handling of classified documents and his alleged efforts to prevent the government from recovering them from his Mar-a-Lago estate. He faces 41 criminal charges.

On Feb. 23, Trump's lawyers filed several motions to dismiss the case, including on the issue of presidential immunity, selective prosecution and challenging Smith's appointment in the case.

Judge Eileen Cannon, who is overseeing the case, on Tuesday rejected attempts by relevant Trump officials to review classified materials that they claimed were moved around his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

On Thursday, Cannon decided that Trump's lawyers would not have access to the documents contained in the classified materials submitted by the special prosecutor, regarding the contents of the classified documents seized from Trump's home by the FBI.

Cannon held a hearing on Friday but did not take immediate action to change the date of the court hearing from late May to allow Trump and his associates more time to prepare their arguments regarding the motions to dismiss the case.

Civil lawsuit in New York.

At the same time, in New York on Wednesday, Judge Anil Singh from the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court denied Trump's request to accept a bond of $100 million or to postpone the enforcement of a penalty payment of at least $450 million while he appeals. Trump's lawyers stated that he would have to sell property as a result of this.

In mid-February, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron imposed punitive sanctions of $83.3 million after Trump and others were found guilty of providing false information to financial institutions and insurance companies in order to obtain loans at lower rates and save on expenses.

In addition to fines and penalties, Engoron also decided that Trump and his adult sons are banned from holding top positions in New York corporations for several years.

Trump's lawyers have filed a statement indicating that they intend to appeal Engoron's decision, but for that, Trump must provide a bond for the full amount of the court ruling.

Engoron’s opinion followed the $83.3 million judgment against Trump for defamation by columnist E. Jean Carroll after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s.

The case of silence in New York.

Due to the delay caused by the Supreme Court's consideration of the issue of presidential immunity, the first criminal case that Trump is expected to face will be whether he falsified business documents to cover up a $130,000 payment made by his lawyer Michael Cohen in the final days of the 2016 election campaign to porn actress Stormy Daniels for her silence about a sexual encounter that she claims took place in 2006.

The jury selection is scheduled for March 25. Last month, prosecutors asked Judge Juan Manuel Merchun to prohibit Trump from making or directing others to make public statements about potential witnesses and jurors, as well as statements aimed at interfering with or pressuring court officials, the prosecution team, or their families.

The case regarding the overturning of the elections in Georgia.

Soon we will find out whether Trump and his associates will be successful in their attempts to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade from prosecuting them in the case regarding the overturning of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia due to their personal relationships.

After seven weeks of hearings filled with sensational details, text messages, and passionate appeals, Chief Judge of the Superior Court Scott McAfee concluded the hearings on Friday regarding whether the entire district attorney's office should be disqualified from prosecuting Trump and his supporters for their attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

This is the only state matter that Trump has faced in connection with his attempts to remain in power after his defeat by Joe Biden.

Willis requested the court date in August, but depending on the shift in the timing of federal proceedings, she may ask for a date in early summer.

The report was authored by David J. Savage, a staff member of the Times.