Trump's Federal Criminal Trial Date Pushed to May 2024 - Campaign Calls it a "Major Setback" for DOJ

Former President Donald Trump's federal criminal trial, originally scheduled for August 2023, has been postponed to May 20, 2024, following extension requests from both Special Counsel Jack Smith and Mr. Trump's legal team. The decision was made by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon and has been deemed a "major setback" for Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors by the Trump campaign.

Former President Donald J.Trump

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a Trump spokesperson expressed their disappointment, stating, "Today's order by Judge Cannon is a major setback to the DOJ's crusade to deny President Trump a fair legal process." The statement accused President Biden of using his power to target his political rival, calling it "a disgraceful and un-American abuse of power." The campaign firmly believes that President Trump will ultimately be exonerated and will win back the White House for the American people.

The trial's date had been a point of contention between the two parties. Initially set for August of this year, the special counsel requested a delay until December, while Mr. Trump sought to postpone it until after the 2024 election. The final decision, May 20, 2024, represents a compromise between both sides.

Judge Cannon's order noted that proceeding to trial in August would not allow enough time for effective preparation by both parties. She found the government's proposed timeline to be "atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial." Although she denied Mr. Trump's request for a further delay, she acknowledged the necessity of ensuring adequate time for discovery review and resolving any pre-trial motions or complications arising from security clearance requirements.

The trial will be held in a federal court located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and is expected to last for two weeks. With such a high-profile case involving a former president, the proceedings are likely to draw significant attention from the media and the public.

As the legal battle looms, both sides continue to prepare their cases. The trial's outcome could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape, especially with the 2024 presidential election on the horizon. The nation waits in anticipation to witness how this legal saga unfolds and how it may impact the future of American politics.

In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump faces an ever-mounting legal battle as he battles 37 felony counts related to the handling of classified documents and 34 counts of falsification of business records in New York. Furthermore, Trump revealed that he is now a target of Mr. Smith’s Jan. 6 probe, hinting at possible imminent indictments.

The former president did not hold back in his response to the new developments, lashing out at Joe Biden's administration for allegedly using the Justice Department to target him politically. Trump publicly stated that he sees this as a third indictment and an attempt to arrest him, accusing the administration of trying to silence his political ambitions.

“This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total weaponization of law enforcement!” he said. “It is a very sad and dark period for our Nation!”

Throughout the years, Trump has maintained his innocence, dismissing previous investigations, such as the Russian collusion probe and two impeachment trials, as politically motivated attacks. He perceives the current charges as no different, alleging that they stem from a desire to interfere with elections and undermine his presidential ambitions.

The situation becomes more complex as the legal proceedings may coincide with Trump's bid for the Republican presidential nomination. While the continuance of the documents trial grants him additional time to prepare his defense, it also opens the possibility of facing a conviction during the campaign.

Despite the legal turmoil, Trump's popularity among Republicans has not waned. In fact, since the first indictment in New York, he has seen a significant surge in the polls, solidifying his lead over other Republican candidates in the primary race.

While Trump supporters rally behind their candidate, the prosecutors handling the case maintain that their investigations adhere to the highest ethical standards. Nevertheless, the escalating situation raises questions about the impact these charges may have on the broader political landscape.

As the legal proceedings continue and the 2024 presidential election draws near, the nation watches with bated breath to see how these events will unfold and how they will shape the political trajectory of the country.