Trump Wants Docs Trial Delayed Until After ’24 Election

Former President Donald Trump is seeking to postpone his trial concerning classified documents until after the 2024 general election, according to reports. Trump, who is currently the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, is scheduled to face trial in December. This trial, if he is convicted, could potentially lead to a lengthy prison sentence, marking the first time a former president is prosecuted.

In a court filing submitted by Trump’s attorneys and his co-defendant Walt Nauta’s lawyers, they argue that holding the trial during a presidential election cycle would pose significant challenges in the jury selection process and hinder the defendants’ ability to receive a fair and impartial adjudication. They state, “Proceeding to trial during the pendency of a Presidential election cycle wherein opposing candidates are effectively [if not literally] directly adverse to one another in this action will create extraordinary challenges in the jury selection process and limit the Defendants’ ability to secure a fair and impartial adjudication.”

The trial was initially scheduled by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, to commence on August 14 or shortly thereafter. However, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is handling the Department of Justice’s case against Trump regarding the handling of classified documents, filed a motion on June 23 to delay the trial until December, citing the public interest in initiating the proceedings as soon as possible.

Smith’s team believes that the urgency to start the federal criminal trial is justified, but Trump’s defense attorneys argue otherwise. They assert that there is no ongoing threat to national security or concern regarding continued criminal activity. Additionally, they claim that the trial would be complex, requiring unprecedented rulings on matters such as the handling of presidential records by Judge Cannon.

According to Politico, Trump’s lawyers stated in the filing, “Therefore, a measured consideration and timeline that allows for a careful and complete review of the procedures that led to this indictment and the unprecedented legal issues presented herein best serves the interests of the Defendants and the public.”

Apart from the timing, Trump’s defense team also opposes the trial taking place during the presidential election season. They argue that starting the proceedings in December would make it nearly impossible for them to adequately prepare for the trial for both Trump and Nauta.

Furthermore, Trump is facing a civil trial in October in New York, initiated by state Attorney General Letitia James, who seeks to impose significant restrictions on Trump and his businesses based on allegations of widespread fraud. He is also set to stand trial in March on state charges related to payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Delaying the trial until after the 2024 election could potentially create an intriguing situation. If Trump were to win the election and return to office, he would have legal and constitutional tools at his disposal to support his case. Notably, he has claimed the power of “self-pardon” and could appoint Department of Justice officials who might choose not to pursue any remaining criminal matters.

{Matzav.com}