Jack Smith recently requested a December date for Donald Trump's criminal trial for allegedly hoarding confidential government records. If that date is accepted by the court, it could throw a wrench into the gears of a primary fight among Republicans, according to a Newsweek report.
The outlet reports:
"Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked for Donald Trump's trial on charges relating to his alleged mishandling of classified documents to be delayed from August to December. The move could see the trial overlapping with Republican presidential primaries, which are due to begin in February 2024."
The article continues:
"Smith requested the trial begin on December 11 rather than August 14, as was announced by Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida last week, arguing more time is needed so Trump's legal team can receive interim security clearances, and to hold a pretrial hearing. If the request is approved, Trump's trial will begin just two months before the GOP primary season, when Republican voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina head to the polls."
The report notes that the "bulk" of the Republican primaries will be in March, or June 11 at the latest.
"The Republican candidate will be formally confirmed at the party's national convention in Milwaukee, which is scheduled to take place from July 15-18," the article states.
