A previous senior official at the Justice Department commented that the Atlanta prosecutor’s suggested start date for the trial against former President Donald Trump seems to be a politically motivated move, especially considering its timing with Trump’s increasing political comeback.
Matthew Whitaker, the ex-Acting Attorney General, focused on Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis’ proposition to start the trial on March 4, 2024, over allegations related to the election. This date is notably just one day prior to the significant Super Tuesday elections.
However, these dates won’t be finalized until they receive judicial approval.
Whitaker, while speaking on “Hannity,” highlighted, “The initial trial has been planned for the eve of Super Tuesday – when numerous states including American Samoa will be casting their votes. Balancing preparations for a trial and touring 15 states before Super Tuesday sounds practically infeasible.”
The states conducting their primaries on March 5 include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. On the same day, American Samoa, situated far east of Australia, will hold its Democratic caucus. It is speculated that its Republican caucus might also be scheduled within the same month.
Whitaker added his agreement with Gregg Jarrett, stating, “The sequence of events appears to be strategically designed to undermine Donald Trump’s chances in the upcoming election.”
Jarrett, an expert on legal matters for Fox News, believes some prosecutors might be aiming to tarnish Trump’s image to a degree that benefits Joe Biden in the elections. He remarked, “The narrative seems to be that Biden cannot secure a victory on his own merits, so certain forces might be aiding him in alternative ways.”
Discussing the sheer number of charges and defendants, Jarrett observed that the case could prove to be too expansive, requiring a significant number of lawyers to manage its intricacies. He suggested a more refined approach to the case would be beneficial.
Whitaker, considering the challenges Trump might face right before Super Tuesday, stated, “Given what I know about Trump, these challenges are unlikely to deter him.”
Separately, Trump is slated to appear in court in another case on the same day as the primary Iowa caucuses. E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against Trump is planned for January 15, 2024, in New York. This follows after Trump’s recent comment on Carroll, in relation to a prior incident.
In addition, Special Counsel Jack Smith, two weeks before the caucuses, has advocated for a swift trial regarding election interference allegations he made against Trump earlier.
Further ahead in the year, another case related to Trump, focusing on classified documents in South Florida, is scheduled to be in court on May 20, 2024, which is close to some other primary dates.
Jarrett also voiced concerns over Trump potentially not being given a just trial in certain predominantly Democratic regions, such as Atlanta, New York, and Washington.
