theo reutersThe request pertains to Donald Trump’s alleged attempt to reverse his defeat to the Democratic nominee – current US President Joe Biden – in the 2020 election.
Notably, if the date of January 2, 2024 is correct, this test would be only 2 weeks before the first ballots are cast in the Republican primary to find candidates for election. US President in 2024.
Former US President Donald Trump recently appeared at an event in Ayer County, Pennsylvania – Photo: REUTERS
According to US Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s Office, the request was partly motivated by public interest in a speedy trial.
A spokesman for Mr Trump said Mr Smith and the US Justice Department were “clearly playing political games”. According to polls, Mr Trump is leading in the Republican internal race.
Trump himself has said on his Truth social platform that any hearing should take place after the 2024 US presidential election. This would potentially give Mr Trump the power to end the prosecution if he is re-elected president.
During his hearing last week, Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to overturn the election results
Mr Smith’s office said he was ready to hand over most of the evidence to be used in the trial to Mr Trump by the end of August.
Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington will hold a hearing on August 11 on how Trump and his defense team handled that evidence.
Prosecutors also said the classified information related to the election was “minimal” in quantity and asked Ms Chutkan to address the matter at a hearing scheduled for August 28.
If the trial takes place in January 2024, Mr. Trump will face a total of 3 trials in just one year.
He was ordered to appear in court in March 2024 on charges filed by the state of New York related to making secret payments to an adult film star.
Then, in May 2024, Mr Trump faced trial on charges of keeping secret files at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida after leaving office.
