Trump requests April 2026 start for election fraud trial

Driving the news: The filing in the U.S. District Court in D.C. formally opposes Smith's proposal for a trial start date of Jan. 2.

• "The government's objective is clear: to deny President Trump and his counsel a fair ability to prepare for trial," attorneys for Trump argue in the filing. "The Court should deny the government's request."
• A Department of Justice spokesperson declined to comment on Trump's request to delay the trial.

The big picture: Trump pleaded not guilty to all federal charges in the case earlier this month, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

• It's one of four indictments brought against him in the past four months. Trump denies any wrongdoing in all of the cases and has launched merchandise seeking to capitalize off his legal woes.
• He continues to dominate the polls and his campaign reported $35 million in donations in the second quarter of 2023 — nearly double the amount recorded in the first quarter.

Go deeper: Trump legal peril enters new phase