United States former President Donald Trump is set to face trial in March 2024 on charges for trying to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat.
US Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday set March 4 for the federal case in Washington. The election fraud case is one of the four criminal prosecutions against Trump.
Trump, who is the leading Republican presidential candidate, is facing trial while he is campaigning before the elections in November next year.
Though Trump’s lawyers pressed for trial date in April 2026, it was turned down by Chutkan. His lawyers had sought more time to gather evidence before the trial. “His liberty and life is at stake and he deserves an adequate representation,” said his lawyer John Lauro.
“This is one of the most unique cases from a legal perspective ever brought in the history of the United States. Ever,” said Lauro.
“Trump will have to make the trial date work, regardless of his schedule,” said Chutkan. However, she raised concerns over the “derogatory” social media posts by him.
Chutkan has warned Trump to stop posting inflammatory statements online about witnesses or others involved in the case.
In connection with the charges over hush money payment to a porn star, Trump is set to stand trial on March 25.
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Also, on federal charges in Florida alleging Trump illegally retained classified records after leaving the White House and tried to obstruct justice, he is to stand trial on May 20, 2024.
Meanwhile, a trial date for the fourth criminal case in Georgia has not been set yet.
Trump had said that all four criminal prosecutions against him was politically motivated and made to target him.
Meanwhile, Mark Meadows, one of the 18 co-defendants in Georgia, is pressing to move his trial to federal court where he is likely to get more sympathetic jury.
Meadows was Trump’s former White House chief of staff.
March 2024 hold significance with regard to the GOP presidential nominating calender. “I want to note here that setting a trial date does not depend and should not depend on the defendant’s personal or professional obligations,” said Chutkan.
Trump surrendered on Thursday in the Georgia case with his pose for the mug shot trending.
Trump was booked on 13 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy charges and soliciting a public official to violate their oath of office.
He was later released on a $200,000 bond after about 20 minutes.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office later released a mug shot of former President Donald Trump, which saw him glaring at the camera.
This was also the first time his mug shot was taken, as he did not have to submit to a photograph when making appearances in his three other criminal cases.
