Former President Donald Trump's trial over the improper retention of classified documents has been indefinitely postponed, as a judge expands a hearing to consider the legality of special counsel Jack Smith's appointment.
Former President Donald Trump's trial over the improper retention of classified documents has been postponed indefinitely, as a judge presiding over the case has delayed the hearing until further notice. The decision comes amid legal challenges to the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the investigation into Trump's handling of classified materials.
Judge Aileen Cannon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida initially scheduled the trial for later this month. However, she has now expanded the hearing to focus specifically on the legality of Smith's appointment. The postponement grants Trump and his legal team more time to file motions and mount a defense against the charges.
The hearing is set for June 21 and will allow amici, including former Attorney General Ed Meese, to present arguments before the court. Meese has filed an amicus brief arguing that Smith's appointment is unlawful and should be dismissed.
In his brief, Meese contends that Smith, as a private citizen at the time of his appointment, lacks the authority to represent the United States in court and has no constitutional basis for his position. Meese argues that the appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, which restricts the power of the President to appoint officers of the United States without Senate approval.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has defended Smith's appointment, citing regulations that have allowed for the appointment of special counsel for over 30 years. Garland argues that Smith's role is analogous to that of other special counsel appointed in the past.
The Trump case is complicated by the fact that it involves both the alleged mishandling of classified documents and the investigation into Trump's role in the events surrounding January 6, 2021. Special Counsel Smith is also overseeing a separate case in Washington, D.C., related to election interference and the Capitol riot.
Trump has denied all charges against him and has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts in the classified documents case, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements. He has also faced additional charges in the election interference case.
The indefinite postponement of the classified documents trial allows for the legal challenges to Smith's appointment to be resolved before the trial proceeds. The June 21 hearing will be a crucial moment in the case, as amici present their arguments and the court considers the legality of Smith's role.
As the case progresses, the Trump camp is likely to continue to challenge the legality of Smith's appointment and pursue any legal avenues to defend against the charges. The outcome of the legal battles and the eventual resolution of the case will have significant implications for both Trump and the ongoing investigations into his actions.
