Prosecutors have suggested Jan. 2, 2024, as the start of Donald Trump’s election interference trial, according to court documents released Thursday.
On that date, Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith said a submissionwould give both parties ample time to review the investigation and resolve any pre-trial legal issues, while making good sense in the public interest.
“It is hard to imagine a public interest stronger than that in this case, in which the defendant – the former President of the United States – is accused of three criminal conspiracies aimed at weakening the federal government and certifying the office of President for 2020.” elections and disenfranchise voters,” Smith said.
He also dismissed claims by Trump’s legal team that the Speedy Trial Act was designed only to protect the rights of the accused, saying the policy made it clear that a speedy trial was also in the public interest.
Smith outlined a timeline of possible court dates leading up to the start of the trial, including jury selection on December 11. He estimated the process will take “no more than four to six weeks.”
The proposed trial date for Trump, who is running for the GOP presidential nomination, would potentially overlap with the Jan. 15 Republican caucus in Iowa and the Feb. 6 Nevada primary. Recent polls show Trump is the clear front-runner for the nomination, leading his closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), by a whopping 37 percentage points.
Trump has set trial dates for 2024 on two other cases: March 25 for his indictment for paying hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels and May 20 for indictment for handing over classified documents.