Donald Trump's Lawyers Ask for Indefinite Delay of Documents Trial

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have asked a federal judge to indefinitely postpone his trial on charges of illegally retaining classified documents after he left office.

The Request

The lawyers filed a motion on Monday night asking Judge Aileen Cannon to delay the trial until all "substantive motions" in the case have been decided. The lawyers say that the trial should not begin until they have had a chance to fully prepare their case.

The Implications

If the judge grants the motion, it could have the effect of pushing Trump's trial into the final stages of the 2024 presidential campaign. This could be hugely consequential in Trump's case, as it could allow him to delay the trial until after the election, or even until after he takes office if he wins.

The Argument

Trump's lawyers argue that the trial should be delayed because it is unfair to try him while he is a presidential candidate. They say that the trial will be a distraction for Trump and his campaign and that it will be difficult for him to prepare for the trial while he is also campaigning.

The Decision

It is unclear whether Judge Cannon will grant the motion. She will have to weigh the arguments of Trump's lawyers against the need to bring the case to trial in a timely manner.

You must know:

• The trial is scheduled to begin on September 19, 2023.
• Trump is accused of illegally holding on to 31 classified documents after leaving the White House.
• The documents were related to the Russia investigation.
• Trump's lawyers have argued that the documents are not classified and that Trump has the right to keep them.