Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have filed a request to indefinitely postpone his trial on charges of illegally retaining classified documents after he left office. The request argues that the trial should not proceed until all "substantive motions" in the case have been resolved. If granted, this could potentially delay the trial until the final stages of the 2024 presidential campaign or even past the election. The timing of the trial is crucial, as Trump is accused of illegally holding onto 31 classified documents and obstructing the government's attempts to reclaim them.

If the trial is pushed back until after the election and Trump wins, he could potentially pardon himself or have the matter dismissed entirely. Trump's lawyers have framed their request as a plea for cautious deliberation and as a way to safeguard democracy.

Special Counsel Jack Smith is urging the federal judge, Aileen Cannon, to reject the request for delay. Smith argues that an indefinite continuance is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. He also states that Trump aide Walt Nauta, who is also implicated in the case, should be represented by his Florida attorney at the hearing. The judge will ultimately decide whether to grant the postponement or proceed with the trial as scheduled.