The federal judge overseeing the case involving classified documents against former President Donald Trump is conducting a crucial hearing in Florida today.
The hearing is considering the possibility of pushing back the trial date, currently set for May 20. President Trump is present at the hearing, which began at 10 a.m. ET and is expected to last most of the day. Aileen Cannon, the judge, has left several issues regarding how to proceed with the case unresolved.
During the first hour of the hearing, federal prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smith’s office argued for a summer trial, proposing a start date of July 8. They opposed an evidentiary hearing requested by Trump’s lawyers, deeming it unnecessary.
In response, Trump’s legal team, which suggested an Aug. 12 trial start date in a filing Thursday night, argued that a trial before the presidential election would be unfair.
They deemed the proposed July start date “completely unworkable” and “an impossibility for the defendant.” Trump’s attorneys emphasized their need to focus on the upcoming hush money trial set to begin March 25 in New York.
In their filings on Thursday night, Trump’s lawyers asserted that the trial should be postponed until after November’s election, emphasizing Trump’s status as a leading candidate in the 2024 election.
They argued that a fair trial this year, consistent with constitutional rights, is not feasible due to Trump’s Sixth Amendment right to be present and participate in proceedings and his First Amendment right to engage in campaign speech.
Both sides submitted a joint proposal for a potential juror questionnaire, but there were disagreements on various aspects, including the duration of the trial.
While Smith’s office estimated four to six weeks, Trump’s team proposed eight to 10 weeks. Disagreements also arose regarding questions about the 2020 election.
Cannon had hinted at the possibility of delaying the trial in a November ruling, citing Trump’s concerns about the volume of discovery and documents requiring review. The judge acknowledged the need for Trump to have sufficient time to prepare for trial but noted the challenge of balancing this against the public’s right to a speedy trial.
Trump faces 40 criminal charges in the case, including willful retention of national defense information, false statements, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and corruptly concealing documents.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial’s outcome will significantly impact Trump’s legal proceedings this year, as he faces trials in three other cases: hush money charges in New York, election interference charges in Washington, D.C., and Fulton County, Georgia. The decisions made by Cannon will play a crucial role in shaping the timeline for Trump’s legal battles in 2024.
