U.S. prosecutors have recommended that the trial for former President Donald Trump over alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results commence by January 2, 2024. The proposed date falls just two weeks before the 2024 Republican presidential primary, in which Trump is currently the frontrunner.
In a court filing on Thursday, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office emphasized the significance of the timing, given that the defendant is a former president charged with conspiring to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election and obstructing the certification of election results.
However, a spokesperson for Trump accused Smith and the Justice Department of engaging in political tactics, referencing Trump’s lead in the 2024 election polls. Trump suggested on his platform Truth Social that any trial should be scheduled after the 2024 elections, potentially allowing him to halt the prosecution if reelected.
Trump’s post on Thursday stated, “Such a trial … should only happen, if at all, AFTER THE ELECTION.” Prosecutors estimate that the trial would last 4-6 weeks to present the majority of their case against Trump. Smith’s office indicated that it is prepared to provide Trump with most of the evidence intended for the trial by the end of August through the discovery process.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, overseeing the election case, is set to conduct a hearing on Friday regarding the handling of evidence by Trump and his defense team.
Prosecutors also noted that there is a limited amount of classified information involved in the election case and requested that Chutkan address this matter during a previously scheduled August 28 hearing. If a January trial date is confirmed, it would result in Trump facing trial three times in the first half of 2024. Apart from the election case, he is scheduled to go on trial in March for New York state charges related to falsifying documents concerning hush money payments to a porn star. Additionally, Trump is facing a May trial in southern Florida for retaining classified documents after leaving office.
