There were two key hearings in Donald Trump’s criminal cases on Friday, as Judge Aileen Cannon considered a trial date for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case and closing arguments were heard concerning the disqualification of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The former president attended the Florida hearing at which Judge Cannon called the prosecution’s request for the trial to begin in July “unrealistic” given the potential for preparation to overlap with the New York hush-money trial scheduled for six weeks from 25 March. She is yet to set a trial date.
It was clarified by special counsel Jack Smith’s team that, as charges have already been filed, they comply with Justice Department policy on investigative actions not coming 60 days before an election.
In Georgia, Judge Scott McAfee did not rule on Ms Willis’s continued involvement in the sprawling election interference case after each side presented their case, promising to post a decision on the docket in the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, the former president’s plea for “presidential immunity” in his federal election interference case will now be heard by the conservative-leaning Supreme Court with oral arguments scheduled to take place on 22 April.