Legal analyst Glenn Kirschner has criticized U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon for failing to set a trial date in the case involving former President Donald Trump’s 40 felony counts accusing him of mishandling classified materials. Kirschner believes that this delay poses an enormous problem, as all intermediate deadlines leading up to the trial date are in limbo. Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, delayed the trial indefinitely last month, prompting accusations of partiality towards the former president, especially since the trial is now set to take place after the 2024 presidential election.
Kirschner expressed his concerns that the delay is depriving the American people of their right to have the trial resolved before the election, as they deserve to know whether they are voting for a convicted felon or an innocent man. Trump, who has faced multiple criminal indictments since running for reelection, was recently convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels. He has also been indicted over his involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and attempts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results, pleading not guilty in all cases.
In a separate trial, New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan recently lifted parts of a gag order on Trump, allowing him to comment on witnesses and jurors involved in the case. Kirschner believes that Merchan made the right decision given that the trial has concluded, but prosecutors should closely monitor Trump’s comments during the upcoming debate as it could impact sentencing. Kirschner suggests including any relevant statements made by Trump in his sentencing memo ahead of the July 11 sentencing hearing.
Overall, the delays and legal issues surrounding Trump’s cases have raised concerns about the fairness and timeliness of the legal process. With the trial now set to take place after the election, voters may not have all the information they need to make an informed decision. The judge’s perceived partiality towards Trump has also raised questions about the impartiality of the judicial system. As Trump continues to face multiple criminal indictments, the outcome of these cases will likely have far-reaching implications for his political future and legacy.
