Hold onto your hats, folks, because Special Counsel Jack Smith just threw some major shade in the direction of the 45th President. Trump might’ve thought he could delay his trial regarding the 2020 election upheaval, but Smith’s having none of it.
In an audacious move, Smith took Trump’s lawyer’s own TV statements as evidence of their readiness for trial and proposed an early trial date of January 2, 2024. Yes, you read that right! That’s a mere three days before the third anniversary of the Capitol attack. An event still fresh in our memories, where Trump diehards tried (and failed) to overturn democracy itself.
Picture this: as Republicans prepare for the Iowa caucuses in mid-January, we might be deep into a trial that’ll last one to two months, unpacking all the messy details of Trump’s attempts to overturn the election. The timing couldn’t be more cinematic!
Smith and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have a clear message for Trump’s defense: “You seem ready, so let’s get this show on the road!” Notably, they pointed out that Trump’s lawyer, John Lauro, already discussing defense strategies on national television. A bit of a premature celebration, perhaps?
Moreover, the DOJ’s not buying the defense’s claim of being underprepared. Pointing out discrepancies in their claims, the DOJ stated that the defense seemed more than clued in on the Government’s investigation into Trump’s antics, even before the infamous January 6th committee hearings.
Smith and the DOJ emphasize that the public deserves a quick trial. After all, justice delayed is justice denied. With Trump surrounded by a battalion of seasoned lawyers, there shouldn’t be any hiccups in getting this trial going.
However, in true Trump fashion, the former President took to his Truth Social platform, crying foul. According to him, this trial is yet another attempt by the Biden administration to meddle with the 2024 elections. While most of his rant focused on his political aspirations, one can’t help but notice he didn’t seem overly concerned with the trial’s timeframe.
There’s no denying that Trump has a vested interest in pushing the trial beyond the 2024 elections. If he manages to return to the White House (gulp!), a friendly attorney general might just make all his legal troubles go away.
Let’s not forget Trump’s recent legal escapades involving the improper transfer of government documents to Mar-a-Lago. In that scenario, Trump seemed to get a favorable outcome, with the trial pushed back. But as history has shown us, past victories don’t guarantee future success.
Renowned federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti weighed in on the current scenario, deeming Smith’s proposal a calculated move to speed things up. We’re all here, waiting with bated breath, hoping for some semblance of accountability in early 2024.
