Staff Reports
In a bold move, former President Donald Trump is seeking to delay his trial for classified documents until after the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s attorneys argue that special counsel Jack Smith has failed to provide the necessary evidence for their defense, claiming that they have not received the required “discovery” related to the charges of mishandling sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. They also point to issues with the sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) in Florida, where the documents are supposed to be reviewed.
To add to the complexity, Trump’s legal team points out that the mounting cases against him would require them to be in two places at once. Faced with this logistical nightmare, they are petitioning for a trial date in mid-November 2024 instead of the originally scheduled date in May.
Trump lawyers: Mar-a-Lago documents trial shouldn't start until 'mid-November' https://t.co/mmqCVeM4YT
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 5, 2023
The proposed delay is significant because it would push the trial beyond the 2024 elections, potentially allowing Trump to focus on his campaign without the distraction of criminal proceedings. Some pundits speculate that Trump may be using this tactic to maintain his presence on the campaign trail or to potentially end the proceedings against him or even pardon himself if he were to regain the presidency in 2025.
The federal indictment accuses Trump of a staggering 40 counts, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Meanwhile, his trusted valet, Walt Nauta, faces six counts, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, and Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos De Oliveira is accused of concealing security footage related to the movement of classified documents.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, it seems that Trump is determined to shape his own political future, brushing off legal challenges and setting his sights on a potential rematch with President Biden in 2024. Only time will tell how this high-stakes showdown will unfold.
