The former President Donald Trump’s legal battles are facing delays as two of his four criminal trials could potentially be pushed back until after the November election. A federal judge has indefinitely delayed Trump’s classified documents case, and a Georgia Appeals Court has agreed to consider Trump’s appeal in his state election interference case. This is seen as a significant win for Trump, who is also facing a trial in his New York criminal hush money case. The delays in these trials could have implications for the 2024 Republican nominee, as the trials may not take place before the election.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has postponed the start of Trump’s federal classified documents case, setting a deadline for pre-trial matters for July 22. The trial has been delayed to fully and fairly consider pre-trial motions and preparations related to the Classified Information Procedures Act. In Georgia, the Appeals Court has agreed to consider Trump’s appeal regarding the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from his election interference case. Willis had requested a trial start date of August 5, just three months before Election Day, prompting concerns about potential election interference.
Legal experts had differing opinions on whether the Georgia trial would start before the election, with some suggesting a trial start date in August or September was reasonable, while others anticipated delays due to the politically polarizing nature of the case. However, it now appears that the Fulton County trial may not start until 2025 at the earliest, as the legal process has been considerably derailed. Trump’s co-defendants had called for Willis’s disqualification over her relationship with her lead prosecutor, which was dismissed by Judge Scott McAfee.
Trump and his 18 co-defendants in Georgia were indicted on 41 felony counts last August for their alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump faces charges including violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) law, conspiracy to commit forgery, filing false documents, and making false statements. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges. His fourth criminal case, a federal election interference case in D.C., is pending a Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s bid for presidential immunity, raising the possibility of a delay in that trial as well.
Overall, the delays in Trump’s criminal trials could have significant implications for his political future and the 2024 Republican nomination. With the potential for two trials to be pushed back until after the November election, Trump may have more time to focus on his legal defense and potential political campaigns. The legal battles and delays also underscore the ongoing controversies and challenges that Trump faces following his presidency, including allegations of election interference and corruption. It remains to be seen how these legal battles will unfold in the coming months and how they may impact Trump’s political career.