A Judge has set former President Donald Trump’s federal case trial to March 4, where he will be facing trial for trying to forcefully overturn 2020 election results.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan set proceedings to begin one day before Super Tuesday when Republican voters in 15 states and territories go to the polls to select their choice to be the party’s 2024 presidential candidate.
“After considering the parties’ briefs and arguments, I find that a trial beginning on March 4, 2024, would give the defense adequate time to prepare for trial and ensure the public’s interest in seeing this case resolved on time,” she said.
Trump was indicted in federal court on Aug. 1 for allegedly making “knowingly false” claims of voter fraud, signing off on a scheme to submit fraudulent slates of electors to Congress, and primarily, sending rioters to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
He is charged with four counts – conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights – and could be sentenced to up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
The defense team proposed April 2026 while the prosecution proposed January 2024. But the judge only gave Trump and his team the necessary time to prepare.
“Events giving rise to this case occurred at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021,” she said. “To propose trying this case over five years later risks the real danger that witnesses may become unavailable or their memories may fade.”
“While Mr. Trump has a right to time to prepare, the public has a right to a prompt and efficient resolution of this matter,” she said.
