Trump wants to delay consideration of classified documents after Election Day

Donald Trump's lawyers hope to move the trial to December. Photo: Getty Images/Mario Tama

Donald Trump sought to delay criminal proceedings in his case until the presidential election.

Trump, 77, has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges that involve his alleged possession of hundreds of classified documents after leaving office.

< p>Prosecutors have already asked Eileen Cannon, the District Judge, to delay the trial until Dec. 11 from the original Aug. 14 date to give both sides more time to prepare.

In a filing filed on Monday, defense attorneys for Trump and his ex valet Walt Nauta, who faces six charges and pleaded not guilty, called the case «emergency» and said the date was set too early.

But there are fears that if the trial is delayed until the 2024 election and Trump wins, he could seek pardon or ask the attorney general to dismiss it.

«The government's demand that a lawsuit of this magnitude be initiated within six months of an indictment is unfounded, eloquent, and will result in miscarriage of justice,» Trump's lawyers said in the document.

A box of classified documents found in a pantry. Photo: Getty/AFP

“Therefore, the court must set aside the current order of the trial and postpone consideration of the issue of a new date for the trial,” the lawyers said.

They argued that this case “represents a serious challenge to both the facts and the perception of our American Democracy,» adding, «The court is currently pursuing a prosecution brought by the administration of the incumbent against his chief political rival, himself a leading presidential candidate. President of the United States.»

The statement said that Mr. Trump is «probably the Republican Party nominee,» which «requires an enormous amount of time and energy, and these efforts will continue until the election on November 5, 2024.»

In it it was said that Mr. Nauta must accompany Mr. Trump on his travels, making it difficult to «prepare for the trial of both defendants.»

Lawyers argued that there was no «urgency» in the case because «there is no ongoing threat to national security interests or any fear of continued criminal activity.»

Recordings stored in the bathroom and shower in Mar-a-Lago. Photo: AP Files found in the White and Gold Ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Photo: AP

Speaking about whether an impartial jury can be found while Trump is running for the White House, they added: “There is no doubt that any trial of this case during the presidential election will affect both the outcome of this election and, importantly, , the opportunity for the defendants to get a fair trial.»

Earlier Monday, Trump's lawyers filed paperwork saying they agreed with federal prosecutors' decision to delay until next week a pre-trial hearing that specifically discusses how classified information is handled in court.

Judge Cannon will decide date.

Mr. Trump denies any wrongdoing and criticizes the prosecution for trying to block his 2024 White House filing.< /p>

Over the past three months, he has seen a surge in donations as he faces civil and criminal litigation.

His joint fundraising committee has over $35 million, according to campaign insiders (£27m) in the second quarter, almost double the amount in the first three months of the year.