In order to resolve outstanding pretrial litigation, including disagreements about the use of classified information during trial, the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case has now indefinitely postponed the trial date.
Judge Aileen Cannon has continued to delay various deadlines in the case, making it all but certain the case doesn’t go to trial before Election Day.
“At this point, before resolving the many unresolved pre-trial and CIPA issues, the Court also believes that setting a trial date would be hasty and not in line with its duty to fully and fairly consider the many unresolved pre-trial motions before it, as well as the important CIPA issues and additional pre-trial and trial preparations needed to present this case to a jury,” Cannon wrote in the new order.
“The Court therefore vacates the current May 20, 2024, trial date (and associated calendar call), to be reset by separate order following resolution of the matters before the Court, consistent with the defendants’ right to due process and the public’s interest in the fair and efficient administration of justice,” Cannon wrote.
Cannon has set two hearings for May 22 on two motions to dismiss.
Special counsel Jack Smith declined to comment on the delay.
Last June, Trump entered a not guilty plea to a 37-count indictment concerning his handling of classified materials. Prosecutors said he repeatedly refused to return hundreds of documents containing classified information, ranging from U.S. nuclear secrets to the nation’s defense capabilities, and took steps to thwart the government’s efforts to get the documents back.
