Former President Trump’s lawyers have requested that a judge postpone the criminal trial into whether he mishandled classified documents to an unspecified date, potentially until after the 2024 presidential election.
In a court document filed late Monday, Trump’s defense attorneys called the case “extraordinary” and argued the large volume of documents and footage to be reviewed should warrant the additional time. They also cited concerns about whether he would get a fair trial amid challenges in selecting unbiased jurors as Trump seeks the Republican nomination to unseat President Biden.
“The government’s request to begin a trial of this magnitude within six months of indictment is unreasonable, telling, and would result in a miscarriage of justice,” said Chris Kise, one of Trump’s lawyers.
Kise did not offer a new date in the postponement request. The Justice Department had previously proposed to set the trial date for Dec. 11.
TRUMP REACTS AFTER LEAKED RECORDING SHOWS HIM DISCUSSING CLASSIFIED DOCS
Former President Trump speaks at a campaign event, Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Trump stands accused of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Earlier on Monday, Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork saying they agreed with federal prosecutors to delay Friday’s pretrial hearing until next week.
During the hearing, the attorneys are expected to discuss the Classified Information Procedures Act and how classified information is handled during court proceedings.
TRUMP DOCUMENTS INDICTMENT DOES NOT CHARGE THE FORMER PRESIDENT WITH HOLDING ONTO IRAN MEMO: REPORT
Walt Nauta, a valet to former President Trump who is charged with helping the ex-president hide classified documents the Justice Department wanted back, leaves following his arraignment, at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building in Miami, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The delay was agreed upon after an attorney for Trump’s valet Walt Nauta, who was charged alongside the former president, said he has another bench trial this week in Washington preventing him from being able to appear in court in South Florida.
The attorneys said they can appear at the pretrial conference on July 18, but the decision rests with the judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who still needs to approve the new date.
Trump and Nauta were charged in a 38-count indictment with conspiring to hide classified documents from federal investigators. Both have pleaded not guilty.
This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and partially redacted by the source, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 FBI search of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. (Department of Justice via AP)
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Trump has denied any wrongdoing. He has also claimed the investigation and subsequent prosecution effort are designed to hurt his bid to reclaim the White House in 2024.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
