Here’s how Trump’s legal troubles are likely to shape the GOP primary timeline

Donald Trump’s ongoing legal issues and his candidate schedule are about to collide, Politico reports.

The former president is already facing criminal prosecutions in New York over alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, and in South Florida, where he faces charges in connection with the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

A potential third indictment looms in Georgia, where Trump is being investigated over election interference allegations.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last month issued a memo advising staff to expect to work remotely for the first three weeks of August, signaling her expectation that an indictment could be unsealed during that window.

Calder McHugh and Charlie Mahtesian write for Politico that, “If so, the first GOP presidential debate — scheduled for August 23 — would take place just days after the president is indicted in a third criminal case (from the Manhattan DA, special counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County DA). The issue would be unavoidable in the debate — whether or not Trump appears on stage.”

In early to mid-January, the Iowa caucuses are expected to be held, although a firm date has not yet been announced.

McHugh and Mahtesian write that, “Between the caucus results and exit polling, this will provide the first real evidence of the extent to which Trump’s considerable legal entanglements are dogging him with GOP voters — if they are damaging him at all.”

The Georgia primary will be held on March 12, followed by the Florida primary the next week. The New York state judge in the Stormy Daniels case has set a trial date for March 25.

Trump could still be on trial over the summer of 2024, when both parties hold their conventions.

McHugh and Mahtesian write that, “If the trial does open in the summer, it would serve as an uneasy backdrop for both party conventions — the GOP convention goes first in mid-July, followed by the Democratic convention in late August.”

“According to legal experts, a judge may well be reluctant to schedule a trial of such magnitude while Trump is in the midst of running for president. The issue is further complicated by the prospect that Trump may attempt to undermine the legal process if he is elected in November.”

Read the full article here.