In a recent development, Judge Aileen Cannon has granted a temporary stay in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, marking another legal victory for former President Donald Trump.
The Guardian's Hugo Lowell reported that Trump's legal team had requested the federal judge to postpone the trial until after the 2024 election, citing delays in the establishment of a secure facility for Trump to review the classified documents.
The defense team for the former President contended that their case is being hindered by a three-month delay in the construction of a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) at the Fort Pierce, Florida courthouse, where Judge Cannon presides. A SCIF is a secure location designed for the safe viewing of highly classified information.
In response to these concerns, Judge Cannon had previously ordered the expedited construction of a SCIF in July. The construction of this facility is anticipated to take approximately three months to complete.
Despite the request from Trump's legal team for a short delay under the Classified Information Procedures Act, Judge Cannon has granted an indefinite stay. Special counsel Jack Smith's office did not oppose this brief postponement.
As it stands, the trial is slated to commence in May. However, the recent decision by Judge Cannon to grant a temporary stay while she deliberates on whether to adjust the pre-trial schedule could potentially alter this timeline.
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