Cannon sets Trump trial date for May 2024

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has announced the trial date for Donald Trump, indicted on 37 federal felony counts largely under the Espionage Act, over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Judge Cannon has set the trial date as May 20, 2024, at the federal courthouse in Ft. Pierce, Florida, months before the November presidential election. Trump had asked for an indefinite trial date, after the election, citing what he suggested was a rigorous campaign schedule. Special Counsel Jack Smith had asked for a speedy trial date and jury selection to begin in December.

Jury selection will begin May 14. The trial is expected to last two weeks, CNN reports.

“Judge Cannon’s order means DOJ won’t get to try the case this year as they’d hoped, but it’s a significant setback for Trump, who was angling for a postelection delay,” noted Bloomberg News’ Zoe Tillman.

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” announced the news on-air. Watch below or at this link.