Donald Trump’s Lawyers Ask To Delay Classified Records Trial Amid 2024 Campaign

Lawyers representing former U.S. President Donald Trump have asked a federal judge to delay his classified records trial amid his 2024 Presidential campaign.

The former President is facing charges related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House, which his lawyers argue could hurt his changes in the 2024 election.

On Tuesday morning, USA Today reported that the legal team representing Donald Trump is trying to indefinitely postpone the trial related to the way he handled confidential documents after leaving the White House. Although U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon set a trial date for August 14, Justice Department attorneys have been trying to postpone that date until at least December 11.

The reason given for the proposed delay is to allow time for Trump's lawyers to get security clearance in order to study the documents that are at the center of this case. However, Christopher Kise, who is leading Trump's legal team, has argued that there are already plenty of documents available to review, with even more coming.

“Here, there is simply no question any trial of this action during the pendency of the Presidential election will impact both the outcome of that election and, importantly, the ability of the Defendants to obtain a fair trial,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a statement.

“The Government’s request to begin a trial of this magnitude within six months of indictment is unreasonable, telling, and would result in a miscarriage of justice,” they added.

On June 8, Donald Trump was indicted on 38 charges, including retaining national defense documents, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and concealing classified government records. In a statement, Trump's lawyers wrote, “This extraordinary case presents a serious challenge to both the fact and perception of our American democracy.”

Trump's lawyers are currently trying to delay the trial due to the overwhelming volume of evidence that has already been collected. Due to "the sheer volume of documents collected," Trump's lawyers stated that they are providing evidence to defense lawyers "in stages."

So far, the government has turned over 833,450 pages of unclassified documents that include 122,650 emails and 305,670 records from ninety different custodians. There are also approximately nine months of closed-circuit television footage to be reviewed as well.

This does not include the classified documents, that will be handed over once Trump's lawyers receive security clearance. Trump's lawyers have called the short timeframe "unrealistic" to review all of the necessary documentation.