Trump classified docs judge says mid-December trial is too soon, seems skeptical to delay past 2024

The federal judge overseeing the case involving former President Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents appeared skeptical of the Justice Department's request for the trial to start in mid-December, but she was no warmer toward Trump's argument that the trial should be delayed until after the 2024 election.

Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, did not issue a trial date during the hearing Tuesday in Fort Pierce, Fla., but said she plans to "promptly" issue an order regarding it, according to CNN.

Trump attorney Christopher Kise argued that with Trump running for the White House in 2024, it would be impossible for him to receive a fair trial before the election.

Cannon asked Kise whether the intense publicity of the case would continue after the election and told him to focus on other reasons to not expedite the trial, such as legal issues or complications handling classified information. 

Cannon also voiced concerns that the discovery in the case is "voluminous" and it would be unlikely the trial could start by mid-December as prosecutors have requested.

"I can appreciate more time is necessary, but some deadlines can clearly be established now," Cannon said, according to NBC News.

Trump and his co-defendant and aide Walt Nauta pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from the classified documents case.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.