Trump’s Defense Lawyers Seek Trial Postponement in Classified Documents Case

Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump have requested a judge to postpone his criminal trial, refraining from setting a new date. Trump faces allegations of unlawfully stockpiling classified documents at his Florida estate.

In a recent filing submitted late on Monday, Trump’s defense attorneys characterized the case as “extraordinary.” They highlighted the substantial volume of documents and footage that needs to be thoroughly reviewed, particularly as the former president is actively engaged in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge President Joe Biden. The defense team expressed concerns about the selection of impartial jurors and emphasized the potential lack of a fair trial if scheduled before the November 2024 election.

Chris Kise, one of Trump’s lawyers, stated in the filed document, “The government’s insistence on commencing a trial of this magnitude within six months of the indictment is unreasonable, revealing, and would lead to a miscarriage of justice.”

The Justice Department had previously suggested a trial date of December 11.

On the same day, Trump’s legal representatives submitted paperwork confirming their agreement with federal prosecutors to postpone a pretrial hearing related to the handling of classified information in court. Originally scheduled for Friday, the hearing regarding the Classified Information Procedures Act will now take place next week. The attorney for Trump’s valet, Walt Nauta, who faces charges alongside the former president, explained that his client’s involvement in another bench trial in Washington this week prevented him from appearing on Friday in South Florida.

The defense attorneys assured in their filing that they would be available for the pretrial conference on July 18 to discuss the 1980 law. They also communicated their coordination with U.S. attorneys regarding the rescheduling of the date.

The approval of the new date by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon is still pending.

Trump and Nauta were indicted on 38 counts, accused of conspiring to conceal classified documents at Mar-a-Lago from federal investigators. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty.

Trump maintains his innocence and has criticized the prosecution as an attempt to undermine his 2024 presidential aspirations.

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