On Friday, attorneys representing former President Donald Trump requested a delay in one of his criminal trials until after the 2024 election and sought to disqualify the district attorney in another case. These developments highlight the complex web of Trump’s ongoing legal challenges.
Florida and Georgia Cases
In Florida, Trump’s legal team argued before Judge Aileen Cannon that his Mar-a-Lago classified documents case should be postponed until after the 2024 election. Simultaneously, in Georgia, Trump’s attorneys made their final arguments to Judge Scott McAfee, seeking to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in a Georgia racketeering case due to her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The judges have yet to make their decisions.
Trump’s Legal Calendar
Trump’s legal calendar is filled with pre-trial motions, with three out of four trials still unresolved. In addition to the Florida and Georgia cases, a special counsel’s election subversion case in Washington remains on hold, pending a Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s presidential immunity claims. The only case with a confirmed date is Trump’s New York criminal trial, set to commence on March 25.
Key Takeaways from Friday’s Hearings
Defense Accuses Willis and Wade of Fraud
Defense attorneys in the Fulton County racketeering case argued for Willis’s disqualification, alleging that she lied about her relationship with Wade and received benefits from him in the form of trips. Willis testified that she repaid Wade in cash for the flights and other expenses, but the defense argued that there were no records of these repayments.
Uncertainty Over Trial Date in Trump’s Classified Documents Case
In the classified documents case, Judge Cannon did not indicate when she might set a new trial date. She did, however, question the implications of holding a trial close to Election Day with Trump likely on the ballot. Trump’s attorneys argued that a trial near the November election could be seen as election interference by the Justice Department.
Prosecutors and Trump’s Attorney Spar Over Claims of Collaboration
Trump’s defense team alleged that various government entities, including the Biden White House, were part of the prosecution team in the classified documents case. Prosecutor David Harbach dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and argued that a hearing on the discovery request was unnecessary.
Possible Discipline for Fani Willis
In the Georgia case, Judge McAfee suggested that if Willis lied on the witness stand about her relationship, the remedy might be a professional disciplinary action at the state bar, rather than removing her from the Trump case.