This Friday, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated in an interview that the trial of former President Donald Trump in the case led by Special Counsel Jack Smith must be conducted quickly, especially as the 2024 presidential elections approach.
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Smith has consistently sought to accelerate the timeline of the case, aiming to maintain the originally scheduled trial date of March 4. Garland expressed agreement with Smith’s proposed acceleration during an interview with CNN justice correspondent Evan Perez on “CNN This Morning.” “The proceedings were initiated last year. The special prosecutor has always stated that the public interest requires a speedy trial, and I agree with that perspective,” Garland told Perez. He added: “The matter is now in the hands of a trial judge to determine the timing of trials.”
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Perez noted that the Justice Department has policies to avoid cases close to elections and questioned whether there would be a point at which the conclusion of trials would be considered “too late.” Garland responded by reiterating that the cases were brought the previous year and that the request for speedy trials came from the special prosecutor. He emphasized that the decision is now in the hands of the judicial system, not the Department of Justice.
When asked whether the case should have been brought earlier, Garland responded that the special prosecutors followed the facts and the law, bringing cases when they believed they were ready. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan stayed proceedings related to the 2020 election on December 13, pending an appeal of her decision not to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. Prosecutors, however, presented new findings in December, and Trump’s lawyers claimed these efforts were a desperate attempt to hurt his chances in the 2024 election. While the Supreme Court is seen as a possible hearing point for the case, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig suggested the process could drag on, especially given Trump’s immunity appeal. He noted that the case could reach the Supreme Court, given its constitutional nature and lack of clear precedents. Honig added that even if the Supreme Court speeds up the process, it is unlikely to be completed before jury selection begins on Feb. 9, casting doubt on the viability of the March 4 trial date.
