Trump seeks to delay classified documents trial beyond election date
Donald Trump’s lawyers hope to push the trial to December - Mario Tama/Getty ImagesDonald Trump has sought to delay his criminal trial until after the presidential election.The former president has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges, which concern his alleged hoarding of hundreds of classified documents upon leaving office.Prosecutors had already asked Aileen Cannon, the district judge in Florida, to delay the trial until December 11 from an initial date of August 14, to give both sides more time to prepare.In a filing submitted on Monday, defence lawyers for Mr Trump and Walt Nauta, his former valet who faces six charges and has pleaded not guilty, said the case was “extraordinary” and argued the date is too soon.However, there are fears that if the trial is postponed until after the 2024 election and Mr Trump wins, he could attempt to pardon himself or ask the attorney general to dismiss it.A box of classified documents found in a storage room at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate -
Donald Trump has sought to delay his criminal trial until after the presidential election.
The former president has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges, which concern his alleged hoarding of hundreds of classified documents upon leaving office.
Prosecutors had already asked Aileen Cannon, the district judge in Florida, to delay the trial until December 11 from an initial date of August 14, to give both sides more time to prepare.
In a filing submitted on Monday, defence lawyers for Mr Trump and Walt Nauta, his former valet who faces six charges and has pleaded not guilty, said the case was “extraordinary” and argued the date is too soon.
However, there are fears that if the trial is postponed until after the 2024 election and Mr Trump wins, he could attempt to pardon himself or ask the attorney general to dismiss it.
“The government’s request to begin a trial of this magnitude within six months of indictment is unreasonable, telling, and would result in a miscarriage of justice,” Mr Trump’s lawyers said in the document.
“The court should therefore withdraw the current order setting trial and postpone any consideration of a new trial date,” the lawyers said.
They argued the case “presents a serious challenge to both the fact and perception of our American democracy”, adding: “The court now presides over a prosecution advanced by the administration of a sitting president against his chief political rival, himself a leading candidate for the presidency of the United States.”
The filing stated that Mr Trump is “likely the Republican Party nominee”, which “requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, and that effort will continue until the election on Nov 5 2024.”
It said Mr Nauta must accompany Mr Trump on his trips, making “trial preparation with both of the defendants challenging.”
The lawyers argued that there is no “urgency” to hear the case as there “is no ongoing threat to national security interests nor any concern regarding continued criminal activity.”
Remarking on whether an impartial jury could be found while Mr Trump is running for the White House, they added: “There is simply no question any trial of this action during the pendency of a presidential election will impact both the outcome of that election, and, importantly, the ability of the defendants to obtain a fair trial.”
Earlier on Monday, Mr Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork saying they agreed with federal prosecutors’ choice to delay to next week a pre-trial hearing that specifically discusses how classified information is handled in court.
Judge Cannon will decide on the date.
In another blow to Mr Trump, on Tuesday the Department of Justice reversed course and decided the former president should not be entitled to immunity for his response to author E. Jean Carroll’s accusation of sexual assault.
DOJ lawyers told representatives for Mr Trump and Ms Carroll there was not “adequate evidence” to conclude Mr Trump was acting within the scope of his employment when he denied sexually assaulting the former magazine columnist. The civil lawsuit can move to trial in January, as the Republican primaries are beginning.
Ms Carroll wants to sue Mr Trump for comments that he made while president. She has been awarded $5 million already in damages for alleged sexual abuse in the 1990s and defamation after he left office.
Trump donations soar in three months
Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has criticised the prosecution as an effort to hurt his bid to reclaim the White House in 2024.
He has seen donations soar in the past three months as he faces civil and criminal litigation.
According to campaign insiders, his joint fundraising committee has raked in more than $35 million (£27 million) in the second quarter, nearly double the amount for the first three months of the year.
What's Your Reaction?
