The trial for the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump has been delayed indefinitely by Judge Aileen Cannon. The postponement is due to unresolved pretrial litigation issues, particularly concerning the use of classified information during the trial.
Judge Cannon has been continuously extending deadlines in the case, indicating that it’s unlikely the trial will proceed before Election Day. In a recent order, Judge Cannon stated that setting a trial date prematurely would be imprudent given the unresolved pretrial motions and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA) issues.
As a result, the trial date scheduled for May 20, 2024, has been vacated, with a new date to be determined after the resolution of pending matters. Judge Cannon has scheduled two hearings for May 22 to address motions to dismiss.
Special counsel Jack Smith declined to comment on the delay. Donald Trump, who pleaded not guilty to a 37-count indictment last June, is accused of mishandling classified materials.
Prosecutors allege that he refused to return numerous documents containing classified information, ranging from nuclear secrets to defense capabilities, and obstructed the government’s efforts to retrieve them.