Donald Trump’s Trial Delay Risks Ruining His Primary Battle

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Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked to delay the trial of Donald Trump on charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents from August to December. The move could see the trial overlap with the Republican presidential primaries, which begin in February 2024.

Smith requested that the trial begin on Dec. 11 instead of Aug. 14, as Florida Judge Aileen Cannon announced last week, arguing that more time is needed for Trump’s legal team to receive temporary clearances. on security, and to conduct a pre-trial hearing.

If the request is approved, Trump’s test will begin just two months before the GOP primary season, when Republican voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina head to the polls.

Most Republican primaries will take place in March, with GOP rules requiring all contests to close by June 11. The Republican nominee will be formally confirmed at the party’s national convention in Milwaukee, which is scheduled to take place from July 15-18.

Former US President Donald Trump gives remarks outside the clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club on June 13, 2023 in Bedminster, New Jersey. Earlier, Special Counsel Jack Smith requested a delay in Trump’s trial over alleged mishandling of classified documents. Chip Somodevilla/GETTY

On June 13, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony counts, which included charges including knowingly withholding national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice, after which he claimed that justice in the United States is ” cheating” and “corrupt.”

Smith submitted his request to a Florida court on Friday, arguing that the delay was necessary to process temporary security clearances for Trump’s legal counsel, and to give them time to “review and digest” the evidence.

The special counsel noted that Trump’s team has begun receiving declassified information related to the trial, which includes witness interviews, search warrants and grand jury testimony.

He commented: “Even with expedited government-ordered production, the inclusion of additional time for defense counsel to review and digest discovery, to make their own decisions about any government production, and for the government to examine the same, is reasonable and appropriate.”

Smith also argued that the extra time was needed because of the Classified Information Procedures Act, which gives those involved in classified information legal cases the right to request a pre-trial conference to discuss any issues. Smith requested such a pretrial conference “to consider matters related to classified information that may arise in connection with the prosecution.”

Trump’s legal team may seek to further delay the trial by filing pretrial motions.

Newsweek reached out to Trump for comment through a press inquiry form on his official website.

Separately, Trump’s trial on charges related to his alleged hush money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, before the 2016 presidential election, is set to begin on March 25, 2024 .Trump has vehemently denied having a sexual relationship with Daniels, and related claims of financial malpractice.

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