Special Counsel Jack Smith, along with legal representatives for former President Donald Trump, have suggested postponing the trial concerning the classified documents case against Trump to later in the summer. Smith expressed in court documents filed on Thursday his belief that Trump, along with his two co-defendants – political aide Walt Nauta and property staffer Carlos De Oliveira – should face trial on July 8.
However, the defense team for the trio proposed different dates. They suggested that the trial for Trump and De Oliveira should commence on August 12, while Nauta’s trial should start on September 9. Trump’s attorneys have maintained their stance that a fair trial for the former president cannot occur before the November elections. They underscored key political events in their filing, such as the Republican National Convention, where they argue Trump needs to be actively campaigning.
Despite these proposed dates, Trump could still request further delays even if the trial is scheduled for the summer. The case is currently set to go to trial in May, but District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over the case, is expected to discuss the date in a hearing on Friday.
Trump was indicted in June 2023 and is facing a multitude of charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents, including a charge under the Espionage Act. Other charges include obstruction of justice, destruction or falsification of records, conspiracy, and making false statements. Nauta and De Oliveira are also facing several charges, including making false statements, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating, or concealing documents. All defendants have entered pleas of not guilty.
The proposed trial dates follow a recent ruling by Judge Cannon, who denied Nauta and De Oliveira’s requests to view the classified records they are accused of helping to conceal at Trump’s Florida residence. This ruling resolved a dispute that could have potentially delayed the trial.
The schedules for Trump’s multiple criminal cases remain largely uncertain. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments over whether Trump benefits from presidential immunity in relation to Smith’s 2020 election interference case the week of April 22. This decision further delays the federal trial for that case. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan had already postponed the first trial date, originally set for March 4, while appeals courts grappled with Trump’s claims. The Supreme Court’s decision could potentially impact the course of the classified documents case.
In a related development, Georgia’s state election subversion case against Trump and 14 of his allies has been entangled in a debate over whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified. Some insiders within the district attorney’s office fear this could derail the entire case, as previously reported by CNN.
This report has been updated with additional details. Holmes Lybrand from CNN contributed to this report.