Judge Aileen Cannon has suspended a crucial deadline in the case involving former President Donald Trump’s classified documents. This decision comes after the defense raised concerns about the prosecution’s failure to preserve essential evidence.
Trump’s defense team requested the judge last month to postpone the May 9 deadline for expert disclosures and Classified Information Procedures Act notice until three weeks after the conclusion of the New York hush money trial. This week, Cannon has temporarily stayed the deadlines. This additional delay might pose challenges to holding a trial this year.
In addition, Trump’s legal team claimed that the prosecutors did not adequately protect the integrity of the documents found in some of the boxes obtained from Mar-a-Lago. The entire case against Trump relies heavily on the information contained in these boxes.
In their reply, the defense attorneys stated that President Trump is expected to submit more motions for sanctions on the grounds of spoliation. They added that if the Office of the Special Counsel fails to provide a credible explanation regarding the acquisition and handling of crucial evidence in the case, the defense may file a motion to dismiss the charges. This issue is anticipated to be a key focus during any future trial.
Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to a total of 40 felony charges. These charges accuse him of unlawfully possessing classified military documents, as well as sharing them with individuals who lacked the necessary security clearance. Furthermore, Trump is accused of attempting to circumvent the government’s efforts to recover these sensitive documents.
According to Trump, the civil and criminal charges he is facing are a product of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at preventing his return to the White House.
Trump is preparing for a second round in November, going head-to-head with President Joe Biden.