Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has indefinitely postponed the trial of former President Donald Trump

 

Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has indefinitely postponed the trial of former President Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents, citing significant issues with classified evidence. The trial, which was initially set for May, has been pushed back with no new date set, potentially delaying it until after the 2024 election.

Judge Cannon's order also sets out a new schedule for legal disputes to be resolved before the case can go to a jury, which will take at least until late July. The prosecution had pushed for a July trial date, while Trump's team proposed dates in August and September, arguing that a pre-election trial would be "unfair".

The delay could put Trump's two federal cases on a collision course. In addition to the classified documents case, Trump is also charged with alleged crimes committed during his presidency to reverse the 2020 election results. That case has been paused while the Supreme Court considers Trump's claims of sweeping immunity, with a decision expected by July.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Florida case, which also include obstruction of justice allegations. His attorneys have argued that the prosecution is politically motivated and have sought records from the Biden administration, which the prosecution has opposed as unnecessary and unjustified.

The delay is seen as a significant win for Trump, allowing him and his attorneys to air their theories about the prosecution, including claims of political bias. The hearing on Trump's request for records from the Biden administration is set for June 24 and is expected to last three days.

The case has raised novel and difficult questions about national security and the handling of classified documents, and Judge Cannon has acknowledged the complexity of the issues. The delay will give both sides more time to prepare, but also raises the possibility of further delays and political implications.