U.S. prosecutors requested a federal judge on Thursday to start the trial of former President Donald Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Democratic rival Joe Biden, on January 2, 2024. Special counsel Jack Smith's office asked the judge today to begin the trial on that date, citing the public's interest in a swift trial. Smith's office stated that this interest is "especially significant here, as the defendant, a former president, faces charges of conspiracy to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election and obstructing the certification of the election results while diminishing the rightful votes of citizens."
This proposed date comes just two weeks before the start of voting in the Republican primaries to select the party's nominee for the 2024 presidential election, where Trump currently leads the race for the Republican nomination. Trump is also set to face trial in March concerning charges brought against him by New York related to falsifying documents related to payments to a pornographic actress. Additionally, Trump faces trial in Florida on charges brought by Smith regarding the retention of classified documents after leaving office.
