Judge Sets Trial Date in Trump’s Classified Documents Case

Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event following his arraignment on classified document charges, at Trump National Golf Club, in Bedminster, N.J., on June 13, 2023. Amr Alfiky/Reuters

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to go on trial in August, according to an order handed down on June 20.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon notified Trump, 77, and U.S. prosecutors of the scheduled date in a six-page order.

“This case is hereby set for a Criminal Jury Trial during the two-week period commencing August 14, 2023, or as soon thereafter as the case may be called,” Cannon, a Trump appointee, wrote.

The trial will likely end up happening later than August, Politico reporter Kyle Cheney said, based on a review of how Cannon has handled other criminal cases.

“She has always set a super fast trial date, as a matter of practice, and then repeatedly continued it as trial matters arose. In every single case, big and small, save for a few quick plea deals,” Cheney wrote on Twitter.

Timothy Parlatore, who has represented Trump in the past, told Axios recently that “I wouldn’t foresee this thing getting tried within a year.”

Defendants are recognized in the U.S. court system as being entitled to a trial in a reasonable amount of time, or 180 days from an initial appearance for defendants who are not in pretrial detention.

But the parties can ask the court for additional time, as has happened in a number of cases through the years.

Cannon instructed the parties to file what are called speedy trial reports, or reports that could lead to delays in the trial happening, every 21 days. She also said any motions for additional time must include certain details, including whether the reasons for granting such a motion would outweigh Trump’s right to a speedy trial.

Other Parts of Order

A calendar call, or a meeting that involves lawyers representing Trump and co-defendant Waltine Nauta and prosecutors working with the judge to hammer out trial details, including the trial date, was scheduled for Aug. 8.

Parties were told to file all pretrial motions and motions in limine by July 24.

Prior to the calendar call, Cannon wants the lawyers to submit lists of proposed witnesses and exhibits for presentation at the trial.

Cannon also said lawyers should be prepared to outline what questions they want asked of potential jurors and that they should give her, before the call, proposed jury instructions.

Any change in plea must be made on the last business day before the trial is scheduled to begin.

In this courtroom sketch, attorney Todd Blanche stands as he enters a plea of not guilty on behalf of former President Donald Trump, second from right, in federal court in Miami, Fla., on June 13, 2023. From left are: Stanley Woodward, Walt Nauta, Blanche, Trump, and Chris Kise. Elizabeth Williams via AP

First Appearance

Trump and Nauta pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on June 13 in the U.S. courthouse in Miami, Florida.

Trump’s plea was entered by Todd Blanche, one of his lawyers. “We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” Blanche said. Trump did not speak during the arraignment.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Trump violated federal law by holding onto sensitive documents after leaving office in 2021, showing the documents to people who lacked security clearance, and obstructing the investigation into the documents by having Nauta move boxes around Mar-a-Lago instead of handing over all of the materials to authorities. A grand jury approved the charges.

Trump has on social media and in interviews maintained he’s innocent. “I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!” he wrote in one social media post.

“The ridiculous and baseless indictment of me by the Biden administration’s weaponized Department of Injustice will go down among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country,” Trump told a rally in Georgia.

Trump defended himself further during an interview with Fox News on Monday, saying he did not transfer all of the boxes of records he possessed because he was taking the time to go through them to sift out personal documents.

“Before I send boxes over, I have to take all of my things out. These boxes were interspersed with all sorts of things,” Trump said. “I was very busy, as you’ve sort of seen.”

Jack Smith

Special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the case, said that the charges are serious but emphasized that Trump and Nauta are innocent until proven guilty.

“To that end, my office will seek a speedy trial in this matter, consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused,” Smith said after the indictment was unsealed. “ We very much look forward to presenting our case to a jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida.”

President Joe Biden has said he did not direct or suggest the Department of Justice charge Trump while Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, defended Smith as a veteran prosecutor who “has assembled a group of experienced and talented prosecutors and agents who share his commitment to integrity and the rule of law.”