Lawyers for Mr. Trump, who is running for president again and secured the Republican nomination, argue that evidence from the federal investigation is essential to protect their client from state charges. They also accused prosecutors of intentionally withholding large amounts of such documents until just before the scheduled March 25 trial.
In recent days, federal prosecutors have turned over more than 100,000 pages of documents, infuriating Trump’s lawyers who say they don’t have enough time to review the material before trial. Defense attorneys have asked for at least a 90-day delay, but Bragg on Thursday suggested a one-month delay.
Machan has not yet publicly opined, but he said it’s common for judges to refuse to grant an adjournment when both sides agree there should be an adjournment and only differ on how long it should be. That would be unusual. Mr. Trump’s lawyers suggested that Mr. Marchand invite federal prosecutors to hold a hearing the week of March 25 and answer questions about the documents he submitted.
Trump’s lawyers wrote in a letter to the judge that the Manhattan district attorney’s office should be allowed to address “the very serious allegations that federal prosecutors have wrongly withheld responsive materials in the past.” ” he said.
The latest developments in the case cast doubt on the timeline for President Trump’s criminal trial, which appeared to be on schedule. Three other criminal cases against him have all faced various delays. In Washington, D.C., where he is charged with conspiring to block the results of the 2020 election, courts are awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s presidential immunity claims. In Florida, the judge is still considering a number of complex legal issues, many of which center on national security sensitivities, despite charges of mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice. It is being expanded to. And in Georgia, state prosecutors are embroiled in a two-month legal battle over personal relationships that will likely result in one of the lead lawyers being removed from the case.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and accused prosecutors of pursuing him for political reasons as he runs for president again. Earlier this week, he won enough votes in the primary to become the Republican nominee, setting up a rematch with President Biden.
