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Snapshot 1:Wed, May 8, 2024 5:52:45 PM GMT last edited by MattKalman

Start of Trump Classified Docs Case Indefinitely Delayed

Image copyright: Scott Olson/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • A federal judge Tuesday indefinitely delayed the start of former Pres. Donald Trump's trial related to his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

  • A federal judge Tuesday indefinitely delayed the start of former Pres. Donald Trump's trial related to his handling of classified documents after leaving office — making it unlikely the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's case will be hear before the November 5 election.


The Spin

Trump wants to push this case past Election Day — so he can kill it if he wins the presidency — and Cannon's doing his bidding. No one should be surprised because Trump appointed her to the bench despite her lack of trial experience, and she's done his bidding since the FBI first obtained the evidence. It's telling that, unlike the judges in Trump's other cases, Cannon has only received praise from him and his allies.

Smith's case has been on shaky ground for a while and Cannon is wise to put the brakes on. There have been revelations about the handling of evidence by the government — even opening up the idea that the Biden administration set up Trump. Plus the US Supreme Court hasn't ruled on Trump's potential immunity. Cannon had no choice but to slow things down.


Metaculus Prediction


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