Special counsel Jack Smith has advised the federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's classified documents case to reject the former president's attempt to delay facing federal charges in Florida by using his upcoming criminal trial in New York as a reason for the delay.
Trump's legal team has requested a postponement of the May deadline for reviewing classified evidence in the case related to his alleged mishandling of government information at Mar-a-Lago due to his ongoing trial for state charges in Manhattan. The defense argues that Trump's presence is required at the New York trial, making it impossible for him to participate in the preparation for the federal case.
However, Smith countered that Trump's attorneys have had sufficient time to prepare for the deadline and suggested that local lawyers in Florida could continue the review of classified materials during the New York trial. Smith emphasized the need to keep the case moving forward and urged against further adjournments.
As Trump's legal team focuses on the Manhattan trial, progress in the Mar-a-Lago documents case is expected to slow down significantly. The sensitive nature of the information involved in the case complicates work outside Florida, requiring secure facilities for discussions between Trump and his legal team.
Federal prosecutors from the special counsel's office have emphasized the importance of being prepared for arguments over classified records in the defense case. Trump's lawyers have expressed concerns about meeting the deadline for reviewing evidence, citing the extensive time required for classified submissions and discussions in a secure facility.
The special counsel's office has indicated that they do not agree with the request to extend deadlines, underscoring the urgency of the case. The legal battle over classified documents and the hush money trial continues to unfold as both sides navigate the complexities of the legal proceedings.
