Trump gets March 2024 criminal trial date in New York, requests meeting with Garland in federal case
A judge in Manhattan on Tuesday set a March 25, 2024, start date for former President Donald Trump's criminal trial for allegedly falsifying business records to help his 2016 presidential campaign. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told Trump and his lawyer Todd Blanche during a 15-minute virtual hearing that the trial date won't be moved and that if Trump shares non-public evidence from the trial, including on social media, in violation of Merchan's protective order, he could face sanctions "up to a finding of contempt, which is punishable."
"Trump, whose microphone was muted at this point, appeared annoyed as he was put on notice of potential punishments," The Washington Post reports. He complained on social media after the hearing that Merchan was violating his First Amendment rights and scheduled his trial "right in the middle of primary season." The next scheduled court appearance in the case is January 2024.
Also on Tuesday, Trump lawyers John Rowley and James Trusty sent Attorney General Merrick Garland a letter requesting a meeting to "discuss the ongoing injustice that is being perpetrated" by special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing two other Trump cases. Smith's investigation into Trump's improper retention of highly classified documents and potential obstruction of government efforts to reclaim them appears to be wrapping up, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday evening, and "some of Trump's close associates are bracing for his indictment and anticipate being able to fundraise off a prosecution."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump posted the letter requesting a meeting with Garland shortly after the Journal published its report on the culmination of the classified documents investigation. Smith is also looking into Trump's involvement and potential culpability in efforts to overturn his loss to President Biden in the 2020 election. One of the authors of the letter to Garland, Tim Parlatore, told the Journal it was part of an effort to dissuade the attorney general from signing off on criminal charges against Trump. Parlatore recently withdrew from representing Trump in the case.
"Merrick Garland will not meet with Trusty or any of the other Trump lawyers," said Anthony Coley, Garland's former spokesman. "Jack Smith is running this investigation, not Merrick Garland."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Silk Roads at The British Museum: a 'mesmerising' exhibition
The Week Recommends 'Epic' show explores the many routes connecting East and West, through a collection of 'beautiful, unusual, intricate' treasures
By The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A hurricane's aftermath, a marching parade, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Sarah Moss picks her favourite books
The Week Recommends The author shares works by Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Wordsworth and Ross Gay
By The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How Trump's 'dark' rhetoric could motivate undecided voters
Talking Points 'This is a dark — this a dark speech,' Trump said in Wisconsin
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'His death creates an opportunity for rough justice'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump politicizes Helene response in Georgia visit
Speed Read The former president made false claims about President Joe Biden's management of the storm's aftermath
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
All the presidential assassination attempts
In Depth American history is full of efforts to kill sitting and former presidents
By David Faris Published
-
Hyperbole and hatred: can heated rhetoric kill?
Talking Point Hypocrisy and double standards are certainly rife, but the link between heated political language and real-world violence is unclear
By The Week UK Published