A federal judge has indefinitely postponed the trial concerning former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, originally scheduled to begin on May 20. This decision is expected to delay the trial until after the upcoming November 5 election. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, in a detailed five-page scheduling order, expressed concerns that setting a trial date now would be premature given the unresolved pre-trial motions and the extensive preparations needed to ensure the case is properly presented to a jury.
Cannon said that the “finalization of a trial date at this juncture … would be imprudent and inconsistent with the Court’s duty to fully and fairly consider the various pending pre-trial motions before the Court, critical [Classified Information Procedures Act] issues, and additional pretrial and trial preparations necessary to present this case to a jury.”
The legal teams, including Trump’s lawyers and prosecutors led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, have encountered numerous disputes over procedural issues such as evidence admissibility, jury rules, and the handling of classified materials in court. Smith had proposed a later start date of July 8, aligning closely with the Republican National Convention, where Trump is anticipated to receive the presidential nomination.
The request for postponement by Trump’s legal team came after they noted discrepancies in the order of national security documents retrieved during the August 8, 2022, raid on Mar-a-Lago. Trump faces 40 criminal counts related to allegedly retaining sensitive documents post-presidency and obstructing federal recovery efforts. He has denied all charges and pleaded not guilty.
In addition to this case, Trump is also involved in a trial in Manhattan on a 34-count indictment for allegedly falsifying business records linked to payments made to two women. Many of the lawyers representing Trump in Florida are also engaged in the New York case.
Overall, Trump is contending with 88 counts across four indictments, with it being unlikely that any other cases will go to trial before the election. Moreover, the Supreme Court is currently considering a separate case that questions Trump’s immunity from federal prosecution concerning allegations of conspiring to maintain power after the 2020 election. Another case in Georgia, involving alleged election tampering, also lacks a scheduled trial date.
As Trump prepares for his third presidential campaign, his legal strategy includes efforts to delay ongoing legal proceedings. If re-elected, he might have the opportunity to direct the Justice Department to discontinue the prosecutions led by Smith.