Trump 'stall' tactic in federal cases 'opens a window' for Ga. trial to start within weeks

Donald Trump's delay tactics, and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to expedite a review of his immunity claims, could potentially backfire in a couple of ways.

The former president is hoping to "stall" his trials until after the 2024 election, said Hamline University political science professor David Schultz, who told Salon that his delay tactics could wind up hurting his candidacy at a crucial moment.

“Criminal trials during the general election could be the October surprises that hurt his campaign," Schultz said, "especially with a late October conviction, if it were to occur."

The former president has claimed immunity from federal prosecution in the election interference case, a claim the judge overseeing the trial has rejected but which Trump has appealed. And while the Supreme Court decided to wait until an appellate court weighs in before considering that case, Georgia prosecutors could now make their move in their separate racketeering case.

Delays in the two federal cases Trump is facing potentially "opens a window" for Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis to pursue her case against the ex-president and his co-defendants in February, said Georgia State University law professor Clark Cunningham.

"There are 'a number of reasons' why it makes sense for the Georgia trial to go first, Cunningham pointed out, explaining that Willis has four cooperating witnesses," Salon reported. "A 'simplified trial' including Trump and co-defendants like campaign lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman could take place before February to resolve the case before the election."

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Trump's attorneys have already argued that holding the Georgia trial in August, when it's currently scheduled to begin, would amount to "election interference," and if the trial isn't concluded by November, he would immediately file a motion to pause the case if he won the election.

“I think there's a pretty good chance that he would succeed in that effort,” Cunningham said.