The federal judge in the case against former President Donald Trump in Washington has set March 4 of next year as the start date for his trial on charges that he tried to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election. This means that the trial will takes place in the middle of the campaign for the presidential elections of 2024, while Mr. Trump leads among the Republican candidates.
Voice of America correspondent Cindy Saine reports on what is expected to be a historic trial.
Lawyers for former President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Monday to attend a preliminary hearing, which has set March 4 next year as the date for his trial on allegations that he tried to block the transfer. peaceful seizure of power on January 6, 2020, at the Capitol.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers declined to comment to VOA, but expressed disappointment with the judge in the case, Tanya Chutkan. They had proposed that the trial be postponed until April 2026, after the November 2024 presidential election. Prosecutors had asked for the trial to start on January 2 next year, with the jury selected this December.
Expert Allan Lichtman told VOA that he believes Judge Tanya Chutkan is a strong judge who made a smart decision.
“She listed a number of good arguments that the public needs to know before the election whether or not Mr. Trump is guilty of these really serious charges,” said Allan Lichtman, a presidential historian and professor at American University.
A grand jury in Washington voted to indict Mr Trump, including charges of conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Mr. Trump has declared that he is innocent of these charges and has continuously claimed, without providing evidence, that the charges against him are politically motivated.
“How can my corrupt political opponent, Joe Biden, take me to court during an election campaign that I am leading, forcing me to spend time and money to face false accusations”, said Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump has stated that the accusations leveled against him have had only one impact, the strengthening of support among his voters. But one of his opponents in the race to win the Republican nomination, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, disagrees and says there is no way Mr Trump will win the presidential election.
“Republican voters must understand that they cannot win the election with Donald Trump. That’s why I raised this issue directly”, said Mr. Hutchinson.
Many of the events of January 6, 2020, were seen by all, says expert Licthman, exposing Mr. Trump to the possibility of conviction before the 2024 presidential election.
“What if Mr. Trump is imprisoned, which is not excluded as a possibility. Technically, he can continue the race for president, but would Republicans want their candidate to be a person who has been convicted of conspiracy against our democracy?, says expert Licthman.
Mr. Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. He is also facing charges in three other cases in New York, Georgia and Florida./ VOA
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