Topline
Washington, D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan set a March 4 trial date for former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference case Monday, denying Trump’s request to hold the trial in April 2026 and instead establishing a schedule that coincides with the presidential primary calendar.
Attorneys for former U.S. President Donald Trump, Todd Blanche (C), John Lauro (2nd R) and Gregory … [+]
Key Facts
Trump is slated to go to trial in the case charging him with four felonies related to his efforts to block President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win a day before Super Tuesday, when more than a dozen states will hold their 2024 presidential primaries.
Chutkan said during a hearing Monday that neither the January 2 trial date proposed Smith’s office nor the April 2026 date proposed by Trump’s legal team is “acceptable,” according to multiple reports.
Trump’s attorneys argued for a later date, citing the need for “a reasonable amount of time to prepare” a defense, while Justice Department lawyers said Trump’s public attacks on the merits of the case heighten the need for a speedy trial as his rhetoric could potentially taint a jury pool, Politico reported.
Trump’s attorney John Lauro also indicated they plan to argue the case is “retaliation” for Trump’s attacks on President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, according to Politico.
Crucial Quote
“Let’s take the temperature down,” Chutkan said when Laurao accused prosecutors of wanting a “show trial” rather than a “speedy trial,” according to Politico. “I understand Mr. Trump is presumed innocent, as is every defendant . . . Let’s not overlook the fact that Mr. Trump has considerable resources that every defendant does not usually have.”
What To Watch For
In a separate hearing in Atlanta on Monday, attorneys for Trump’s former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows—one of 18 co-defendants indicted alongside Trump by a Fulton County grand jury on August 14 for their efforts to overturn Biden’s win in Georgia—are expected to argue his case should be moved to federal court. At least four other defendants in the Georgia case, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, former Georgia Republican Party Chair David Shafer, former Coffee County GOP Chair Cathy Latham and Georgia State Sen. Shawn Still, have requested to move their cases to federal court, claiming their conduct is tied to federal, not state laws. Trump is also expected to make a similar request. Moving the case to federal court could potentially lead to a more favorable jury pool that would encompass more conservative-leaning suburbs outside of Fulton County, which predominantly covers Democratic-leaning Atlanta.
Key Background
A Washington, D.C. grand jury indicted Trump August 1 on four charges related to his efforts to overturn the election and stay in power, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against rights of citizens, obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, alleging they amount to “persecution of a political opponent,” while accusing the Justice Department of acting on Biden’s behalf in order to hurt his chances of being re-elected. Two weeks later, a Fulton County grand jury charged Trump with 13 additional felonies related to his efforts to reverse Biden’s win in Georgia. He and his 18 co-defendants were all charged with racketeering in the case, among 41 total counts. All of the defendants in the case surrendered and were arrested last week. Unlike his previous three indictments, Trump had his mug shot taken for the first time and was required to post a $200,000 bond to be released from the Fulton County Jail.
Further Reading
Trump Indicted: Ex-President Charged With 4 Criminal Counts In Jan. 6 Probe—As Jack Smith Decries Election ‘Lies’ (Forbes)
Trump’s Mug Shot Released In Georgia Election Interference Case—See Giuliani And Other Co-Defendants’ Photos (Forbes)
Trump Arraignment: Ex-President Claims ‘Persecution’ After Pleading Not Guilty To Four Jan. 6 Charges (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/08/28/judge-sets-march-4-trial-date-for-trumps-federal-election-interference-case/