FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Florida indicated Wednesday that she may delay the start of the classified documents trial of Donald Trump, given the other criminal cases faced by the former president and the extensive evidence review required by his attorneys.
Trump’s trial, scheduled for May 20, 2024, pertains to charges that he hid classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructed the government’s retrieval efforts.
However, U.S. District Judge appeared inclined to grant the request for trial postponement, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of the current schedule. Despite the prosecutors’ efforts to maintain the original start date, Cannon expressed concerns about the significant volume of evidence provided by the prosecution in the Mar-a-Lago case, including 1.3 million pages and extensive security video footage.
The case involving classified documents, filed by special counsel Jack Smith’s team, is one of four potential trials Trump may face next year. Another federal case, also brought by Smith, alleges Trump’s involvement in scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and is set for trial in March in Washington.
Potentially, a trial in Georgia on state charges that Trump tried to subvert the election could commence next year, although no specific date has been set. Additionally, a New York trial on charges of Trump falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to a porn actor before the 2016 election could also take place. Trump is already on trial for a civil case in New York alleging business fraud.
Cannon raised concerns about adequate time for Trump’s lawyers to review the extensive evidence in the Mar-a-Lago case within the next six months. She emphasized the need for a realistic understanding of the challenges involved. In response, prosecutor Jay Bratt from Smith’s team indicated Trump’s attorneys’ desire to postpone the trial until after the November 2024 election, where Trump aims to reclaim the White House from President Joe Biden.
Bratt acknowledged the possibility of the Washington trial being delayed due to defense motions and the dismissal of charges. He urged Cannon not to let the Washington trial dictate the schedule for the Florida trial, mentioning that the defense team has provided directory assistance for the Mar-a-Lago documents and informed them about the portions of security video to be presented as evidence.
In addition to Trump, the charges include his former valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to obstruct the FBI’s investigation into the case.
During the hearing, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche stressed the need for realism, especially considering the restricted access to the classified documents, which can only be viewed in secure government rooms.
Cannon assured that she will render a decision on the trial date in the upcoming days.
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Tucker reported from Washington.
