Federal prosecutors and Trump's attorneys have proposed new trial dates for Trump's criminal trial on charges of mishandling classified documents, with the former suggesting a July 8 start date and the latter proposing August 12. Trump's attorneys argue for a later trial date, citing his status as a leading candidate in the 2024 election and pending legal issues related to presidential immunity claims. The trial schedule may conflict with other legal proceedings, including the Fulton County District Attorney's trial plans for the Trump election interference case in Georgia.
Donald Trump is facing 91 criminal charges in four different cases, with trial dates and statuses varying across jurisdictions. His legal team has been successful in delaying some trials, but a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general against Trump, his adult sons, and his company is threatening his business and brand. The former president's legal battles are unprecedented in American politics as he navigates both the campaign trail and the courtroom.
Federal prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith's team express frustration with Donald Trump's delay tactics, accusing him of trying to manipulate the court. Trump's lawyers argued that they couldn't simultaneously work on two trials, one in Florida and one in D.C., both being prosecuted by Smith's team. Prosecutors argue that Trump's lawyers failed to inform the court of their intention to file for a delay in the D.C. trial. Trump's attorneys have repeatedly sought to delay trial dates, with their latest effort likely facing challenges. Smith's prosecutors urge the court not to delay the Florida trial based on the potential delay in the D.C. trial.
Last week in the Trump Trials, guilty pleas were made in the Georgia election-obstruction case, potentially implicating Trump himself. A limited gag order was issued in the D.C. election-obstruction case, allowing Trump to criticize President Biden but not disparage court personnel. Trump asked for the gag order to be paused until the appeals process is complete. In the Florida classified documents case, a co-defendant's lawyer was allowed to continue despite potential conflicts of interest. The nerd word of the week is "Brady," referring to evidence helpful to the defense. In the New York state business fraud case, no significant developments occurred, but testimony from a Trump Organization executive could strengthen the case against Trump. The only trial expected to be televised is the state case in Georgia.
Prosecutors are seeking a limited gag order on former President Donald Trump to restrict his comments about the criminal cases against him, citing concerns about prejudicing potential jurors and intimidating witnesses. In other developments, a former Justice Department official is trying to move his charges to federal court in Georgia, a civil lawsuit alleging accounting misdeeds by Trump's business is set to begin in New York, and rules have been issued for Trump and his defense attorneys to review classified evidence in a federal case in Florida. The trial dates for these cases range from March to May, with the possibility of delays. Legal scholars are debating whether states can invoke the 14th Amendment to keep Trump off the 2024 ballot, but the Justice Department has not made this argument in the D.C. case related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Donald Trump's legal team claims that the early trial dates set for his four criminal cases are intentionally designed to clash with the final stages of the 2024 presidential election campaign and voting. Trump's spokesperson argues that the trials, which could last from four to six weeks each, may overlap and extend into October or November of next year. The spokesperson alleges a coordinated effort by prosecutors to tie Trump up in legal proceedings for political reasons. The potential collision between Trump's legal calendar and the upcoming election is already complicating both the legal and political realms. Trump faces 91 charges across the four indictments and is leading the pack of Republican presidential hopefuls, with his popularity among right-wing Republicans increasing with each indictment.
Former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case are already at odds over when and where their trial will take place. Five defendants have sought to move the state case to federal court, which could result in the case splitting into smaller cases overseen by different judges on different timelines. The question of venue matters because it would affect the composition of the jury. Some defendants are seeking speedy trials, while Trump has indicated his intention to sever his case from the rest of the defendants. The legal maneuvering reflects the unique nature of the case, which involves a former president, Georgia Republican activists, and varying agendas among the defendants.
Former President Donald Trump's aggressive criticism and attacks against judges, prosecutors, and potential witnesses in response to his criminal indictments could hasten the trial dates for his four active criminal cases. Legal experts predict that a gag order may be imposed on Trump, but even if it isn't, judges may be incentivized to set quick trial dates to render his pretrial comments irrelevant. Trump has argued for postponing his trials until after the 2024 presidential election, but judges like Tanya Chutkan have expressed a willingness to proceed quickly to ensure an impartial jury. Trump's attorneys were expected to propose alternative trial dates, while Trump himself vowed to continue speaking out and claimed that protective orders were aimed at stifling his free speech.
