Judge Juan Merchan denies a motion by Donald Trump that sought to delay the April 15 start of the hush money trial until after the United States Supreme Court ruled on whether presidential immunity protects him from prosecution. In the classified documents case, prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith’s team ask Judge Aileen Cannon to reverse herself on her proposed instructions to jurors in Trump’s as-yet-to-be-scheduled trial.

Legal Developments Involving Donald Trump

New York Hush Money Trial

Judge denies Trump motion to delay start of trial

Merchan denied a last-ditch motion by Trump’s lawyers that sought to delay the start of the hush money trial by 90 days or dismiss the charges outright on the grounds that the United States Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether presidential immunity protects Trump from prosecution.

Merchan stated that Trump had waited too long to pursue the presidential immunity claim in the hush money case.

Classified Documents Case

Smith asks Cannon to drop ‘flawed’ jury instructions or face appeal

Late Tuesday, Smith issued a stern rebuke of Cannon’s “fundamentally flawed legal premise” when she asked lawyers in the case for potential jury instructions that appeared to side with Trump’s argument that the Presidential Records Act (PRA) justified his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Smith argues in the filing that the PRA does not apply in this case since the crimes Trump is accused of committing took place after he was president.

Consider the Context

Merchan's denial of Trump's motion and Smith's appeal to Cannon underscore the high stakes and legal battles surrounding Trump's legal challenges. The decisions in these cases could have significant implications for Trump's legal future.