(Miami) The trial of former US President Donald Trump for his negligent handling of confidential documents after leaving the White House will begin in May next year, the judge in charge of the case announced on Friday.
The trial will begin in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida on May 20, 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon said.
Charged in mid-June with 37 counts including “illegal withholding of information relating to national security”, “obstructing justice” and “false testimony”, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court in Miami.
Leaving the White House, Donald Trump took with him entire boxes of documents. However, a 1978 law obliges all American presidents to transmit all of their e-mails, letters and other working documents to the National Archives.
Prosecutors had called for the trial to open in December, while defense lawyers argued for a trial after the November 2024 presidential election for which Donald Trump is a candidate.
The trial will be held in the middle of the primary campaign for the presidential election.