The federal judge in the case against former President Donald Trump in Washington has set March 4, 2024 as the date for his trial on charges that he tried to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.
Judge Tanya Chutkan’s ruling means Mr. Trump will likely have to stand trial in at least three separate criminal cases as he campaigns to secure the Republican nomination.
The judge said Monday that Mr. Trump will have to balance the judicial process with the presidential campaign.
She said both the January 2, 2024 date proposed by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith for the start of the trial, and the April 2026 date proposed by Mr. Trump’s lawyers, are unacceptable.
“The date proposed by the defense of April 2026 is far beyond what is necessary,” she said.
Mr. Trump’s trial will begin a day before the so-called Super Tuesday, when more than 12 states in the US hold races for the presidential nomination.
He is also expected to go on trial in New York on March 25 on charges in that state related to a hush-hush payment to a pornographic actress.
A third trial is set for May 20, 2024 on federal charges in Florida that Mr. Trump illegally obtained classified information after leaving the White House and attempted to obstruct justice.
A trial date for the fourth Georgia criminal case has not yet been set. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had requested that the trial there begin on March 4, but Judge Chutkan’s ruling means that date is likely to change.
Mr. Trump did not attend Monday’s hearing. He described all four prosecutions as politically motivated efforts.
