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Former US President Donald Trump will appear in court on March 4, 2024 in Washington, DC on charges of trying to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
"The public has a right to a speedy and efficient resolution of this case," said federal judge Tanya Chatkan after announcing her decision.
Earlier, Chatkan had warned Trump's lawyers that they would not have the time they requested to prepare.
She was asked to find a compromise between two very different proposals: Special Prosecutor Jack Smith wanted the trial to begin in Washington on January 2 and last no more than four to six weeks. Instead, Trump's lawyers have asked for a trial in April 2026, many months after the November 2024 presidential election, on the grounds that they need too much time to study the evidence the government has collected.
Trump has dismissed all 4 criminal charges against him, claiming they are politically motivated efforts to prevent his return to power.
He has pleaded not guilty to three of the charges, while on September 6 he will appear before the Georgia court for the fourth case.
The former president also claims, without providing any evidence, that Chatkan is biased against him. One of his lawyers, John Lauro, said the defense needed more time to prepare.
"This man's freedom and life are at risk and he has the right to adequate representation. We cannot do this within the time frame set by the government,” he asserted.
Prosecutors, however, pointed out that most of the evidence is in the public domain, consisting of Trump's own statements and congressional documents. Prosecutors said they handed over 12.8 million pieces of evidence to the defense.
Chatkan commented that Trump's legal team should have already started their work as they "knew this was going to happen".
In Georgia, where Trump is accused of trying to sway the statewide election, Attorney General Fannie Willis has asked that his trial also be set for March 4.
One of his co-defendants, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, is lobbying to have the trial moved to federal court rather than the trial court, where he believes it can be handled more favorably.
On March 25, Trump's trial will begin in New York on another case, which has to do with buying the silence of a former porn star.
On May 20, he will stand trial in Florida on charges of illegal possession of classified documents after leaving the White House and obstruction of justice.
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