The US government is resisting former President Donald Trump’s calls to postpone his criminal trial in the classified documents case. Trump’s lawyers argue that delaying the trial until after the 2024 presidential election would be fairer to him as a political figure. However, prosecutors maintain that there is no legal or factual basis for such a delay and insist that the trial should proceed as scheduled in December 2023.
The charges against Trump stem from allegations that he removed classified documents from the White House and failed to hand them over to the National Archives. Specifically, he is charged with two counts of making false statements to the Archives and one count of obstruction of justice. A conviction could result in a sentence of up to five years in prison.
While the trial is set to commence on December 11, 2023, uncertainty surrounds Trump’s political status at that time. Currently, he is the leading contender for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election. Nonetheless, prosecutors argue that the trial’s timing should not be influenced by Trump’s political ambitions.
Judge Aileen Cannon, presiding over the case, has yet to rule on Trump’s request for a trial postponement. Her decision is expected to be announced in the following weeks.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings continue. Prosecutors have recently filed a motion seeking to compel Trump to testify before a grand jury. Trump’s legal team has objected to this motion, but the judge has yet to render a decision on the matter.
Apart from the classified documents case, Trump is grappling with several other legal challenges. He is under investigation in New York for his business dealings, and he faces defamation lawsuits from various individuals. The impact of these legal battles on Trump’s political future remains to be seen.
