Trump’s trial over classified papers set for August

It is likely, however, that the former president’s lawyers will try to delay proceedings

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty. Picture: AFP

A judge in Florida has set August 14 as the provisional date for the start of Donald Trump’s trial over his retention of classified White House documents.

Jack Smith, the special prosecutor appointed by the Department of Justice to investigate the case, promised an expedited process when the former president, 77, was indicted earlier this month.

It is likely, however, that Mr Trump’s lawyers will try to delay proceedings.

The complexities of handling classified evidence, the degree to which Mr Trump’s legal team challenges the government’s pre-trial motions, and the way the judge manages the schedule could all lead to a lengthy trial, legal experts say.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty. It is possible the start of the trial could be pushed back by months, meaning it could happen during the height of next year’s presidential campaign.

He is accused of hoarding hundreds of boxes of documents marked “classified” and “secret” at Mar-a-Lago, his home in Florida, after leaving the White House in January 2021.

He could be indicted in another case in early August. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney in Georgia, has intimated that charges could be brought against Mr Trump for allegedly trying to interfere with the result of the 2020 presidential election.

After the ballot in Georgia, which he lost to President Joe Biden, Mr Trump telephoned Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, demanding that he “find” another 11,000 votes that would have secured the state for Mr Trump. Mr Raffensperger, a Republican, refused. Mr Trump denies any wrongdoing.

August has also been chosen as the month for the first Republican presidential debate, with as many as half a dozen candidates vying to take on Mr Biden, 80.

Mr Trump, who is well ahead in most polls, has indicated that he is unlikely to take part in the debate.

A criminal case, in which Mr Trump is accused of covering up hush money payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels to conceal their affair, is set for March.

He is also being sued for defamation by E. Jean Carroll, a writer, who was awarded $US5m from Mr Trump last month in a civil case over sexual assault.

A hearing on his appeal is expected in January.

THE TIMES