Trump team asks to delay documents trial, citing election run-up

Lawyers are asking for an indefinite delay, saying Donald Trump is too busy campaigning for the 2024 presidential election to prepare for the trial.

Lawyers for former U.S. President Donald Trump have called for a postponement of a criminal trial over the handling of classified documents, citing conflicts with the November 2024 presidential campaign.

In court filings late Monday, Mr. Trump’s attorneys noted the “unusual” nature of the federal lawsuit. The federal lawsuit accuses Trump of hoarding and concealing classified information that came into power when he left the White House and obstructing subsequent FBI investigations.

President Trump is the first sitting or former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges. In addition to federal charges related to the document, he also faces charges from the state of New York related to falsification of business records related to paying hush money to porn stars.

“The government’s request to initiate a trial of this magnitude within six months of the indictment is unreasonable, and the court’s miscarriage of justice,” the document filed by one of Trump’s attorneys, Chris Kiss, said in the lawsuit. We will be connected,” it says. A trial date is currently set for August 14.

Lawyers cited difficulties in jury selection and concerns over whether Trump would get a fair trial before the November 2024 election. Lawyers said the current trial date was “unrealistic”.

The government investigation lasted more than a year before indictment, during which time officials “collected hundreds of thousands of documents, interviewed dozens of witnesses, and presented dozens of witnesses to two separate grand juries. ‘ argued the lawyers. Court documents say defendants need time to evaluate these materials and decide whether they need to request anything more.

Evidence includes sensitive documents, so procedures need to be put in place to handle them.

The filing did not suggest a new date, but Trump’s attorneys said the date previously proposed by federal prosecutors is being used because Trump is “likely to be the Republican candidate” for the November 2024 presidential election. (December 11 this year) also said he could not support it. It requires a huge amount of time and energy. “

Additionally, Trump’s co-defendant Waltine ‘Walt’ Nauta’s job requires him to be by his boss’s side during the campaign, making it “difficult” for both defendants to prepare for a trial. I’m making it.

The polls show Trump has a clear lead among the crowded Republican nominees, trailing front-runner Ron DeSantis, Florida Gov. surpassed. If those trends continue in next year’s Republican primary, it’s far from a certainty that Trump will once again face Democratic President Joe Biden in the general election, just as he did in 2020.

President Trump’s legal troubles have plunged US politics into uncharted territory. Under the U.S. Constitution, no criminal charge or conviction can prevent a candidate from running for president or winning.

However, logistics remains complex and presents unprecedented challenges. Both trials will almost certainly cost Trump hours in court, potentially limiting his campaign. Even if he is convicted and sentenced to prison, he could legally escape from prison.

A New York state trial, in which Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, is currently scheduled for March 25, 2024. Mr Trump’s lawyers are calling for a change of venue, arguing the former president cannot get a free and fair trial. Tilted Manhattan.

A federal lawsuit faces 37 felony charges against Trump. His aide, Walt Nauta, is also facing six felony charges related to the document investigation. Both men have pleaded not guilty, and Trump made his first appearance in federal court in Miami, Florida, on June 13.

Just recently, the defense and prosecution filed documents asking for a one-week postponement of a preliminary hearing on how to handle classified documents at a trial scheduled for Friday.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in both criminal trials, and in both cases he has accused prosecutors of trying to derail the president’s ambitions.