The Florida judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely postponed the trial in the case of classified documents against the former president Donald Trump that should start next May 20th.
According to one declaration issued this Tuesday, this decision responds to the lack of resolution of multiple issues prior to the trial, which would be "imprudent" at this stage because "there are pending motions and critical issues related to the classified information protection law (CIPA) without being resolved ".
Also missing are the additional preparations needed to present the case to a jury fairly and efficiently, he adds.
"Therefore, the Court vacates the current trial date of May 20, 2024 (and the associated calendar call), which will be restored by separate order following the resolution of the issues before the Court," the statement said.
The judge also announced the scheduling of additional hearings on some of the pending matters, extending from May to the end of July. This suggests the case probably won't go to trial before August.
Trump expressed concern about the possible political impact of a trial in the weeks before the November election, arguing that it would interfere with his campaign activities.
The prosecution had requested that the trial take place on December 11, 2023, and the defense team wanted to postpone it indefinitely until a date after the 2024 presidential elections.
The Republican presidential candidate is currently awaiting a Supreme Court decision on his claim to presidential immunity in a separate federal case in Washington, D.C.
Former President Trump faces a host of felony charges, including intentional withholding of national defense information, false statements, and conspiracy to obstruct justice, among others. Trump and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Special prosecutor Jack Smith has accused Nauta and De Oliveira of attempting delete security footage at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence after the Justice Department attempted to obtain it, in addition to making false statements to prosecutors.
The businessman and former president of the country is accused of 37 charges for allegedly developing a plan to keep sensitive materials in the White House after finishing his term, even though he knew that many were still classified.
According to the indictment, he not only concealed classified documents, but lied to federal agents and investigators about his involvement.
The former president has described the accusation as an attack on his supporters, and an attempt to stop his presidential aspirations.
In 2023 he said he had been too "busy" and wanted to be sure he had recovered his personal belongings before complying with the federal government's repeated demands to return the items. classified documents he took with him when leaving the White House.
What do you think?
COMMENTFiled in: