Trump lawyers, special counsel Smith in federal court to get judge to decide on court date

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., is set to decide Monday when former President Trump will stand trial in Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's 2020 election-related case.

Smith’s team is asking District Judge Tanya Chutkan to schedule the trial for January 2024 – on conspiracy charges related to Trump’s alleged effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The team argues an overwhelming public interest in having the case resolved before the 2024 presidential election.

Trump’s team wants the trial to begin April 2026.

Trump is the clear frontrunner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary and claims Smith's case – federal charges that he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss in part by instigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot – is an attempt to derail his campaign.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this month.

Chutkan indicated previously she would rule on the trial date during a hearing on Monday, according to CBS News.