Former President Donald Trump's defense team has filed a motion requesting an indefinite postponement of his criminal trial concerning the handling of classified documents, potentially pushing it beyond the 2024 presidential election. The motion, submitted late Monday, characterizes the case as "extraordinary," citing the substantial volume of documents and video evidence requiring review. Trump's lawyers argue that this extensive material, coupled with the challenges of ensuring an impartial jury during his presidential campaign, necessitates a delay.

Attorney Chris Kise, representing Trump, asserted that initiating such a complex trial within six months of the indictment is unreasonable and risks a miscarriage of justice. While the Justice Department had proposed a December 11 trial date, Kise's motion did not suggest an alternative.

The former president faces accusations of improperly retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. This request follows an agreed-upon delay of a pretrial hearing, initially scheduled for Friday, to the following week. This hearing will address the Classified Information Procedures Act and how classified material is managed within court proceedings. The delay was granted due to scheduling conflicts involving an attorney for Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta, who faces related charges.

Nauta, Trump's valet, is accused of assisting in concealing the documents. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the 38-count indictment. The rescheduling of the pretrial conference to July 18 is pending approval from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.

Trump maintains his innocence, contending that the investigation and prosecution are politically motivated to hinder his 2024 presidential aspirations.