Special counsel Jack Smith has strongly opposed indefinitely postponing the federal trial of former President Donald Trump and has urged the court to proceed with jury selection in December, stating that there is “no basis in law or fact” for such a delay.
In a recent court filing, Smith emphasized that one of Trump’s legal arguments “approaches being without merit” and asserted that there is no evidence to suggest that waiting until after the 2024 presidential election would facilitate the trial process.
Smith, along with assistant special counsel David Harbach, wrote, “The legal issues Defendants raise do not warrant deviating from a speedy trial date, let alone indefinitely deferring one.”
Trump currently faces numerous felony charges, including willful retention of national security information. Allegedly, he stored highly classified documents in a ballroom and a bathroom at his Florida resort. He is also accused of conspiring to obstruct the FBI investigation alongside his valet, Walt Nauta, who is said to have moved boxes to evade government scrutiny. Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty.
Recently, Trump and Nauta proposed to Judge Aileen Cannon that the trial be postponed, possibly until after the presidential election, as Trump is running for the Republican nomination.
However, Smith vehemently opposes this suggestion, highlighting that there is no valid justification for deviating from the agreed-upon trial schedule and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a timely process.
The court is now tasked with considering the arguments presented by both sides and making a decision regarding the trial’s timeline.
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