Federal prosecutors propose pushing back Trump’s classified documents trial to July 8

Washington CNN —

Special counsel Jack Smith and attorneys for Donald Trump proposed moving the trial in the classified documents case against the former president later into the summer.

Smith said in court filings Thursday that he believes that Trump and his two co-defendants, political aide Walt Nauta and property staffer Carlos De Oliveira, should go to trial on July 8.

Attorneys for the three defendants proposed that Trump and De Oliviera’s trial begin on August 12, while Nauta’s trial begins September 9.

Even so, Trump’s attorneys reiterated that they believe that the former president can’t have a fair trial before November’s election, highlighting political dates in their filing where they say the former president needs to be on the campaign trail like the Republican National Convention. Trump could still seek delays even if a trial is set for the summer.

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial in May, though District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing the case, is expected to address the date in a hearing on Friday.

Trump was indicted in June 2023 and faces dozens of charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents, including a charge under the Espionage Act, in addition to counts of obstruction of justice, destruction or falsification of records, conspiracy and false statements.

Nauta and De Oliveira have been charged with several counts, including making false statements, conspiracy to obstruct justice and corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating, or concealing documents. The defendants have all pleaded not guilty.

The trial date proposals come days after Cannon denied efforts from Nauta and De Oliveira to view the classified records they allegedly helped conceal at the