Judge: "Given that Mr. Trump likely knows most of the witnesses the government would call.... (some) may be staff and associates... why would the defense need 2 years to investigate?"

Defense: There was no obligation to begin defense during the grand jury probe

Defense: "We can't be charged and hindered because we didn't do an investigation during the grand jury" procedure

"This is an enormous, overwhelming task. We have two small law firms working around the clock"

Lauro has made SEVERAL uses of the term "miscarriage of justice".. about timing of this case

Judge: "I intend to ensure he gets a (fair trial). But this case isn't going to trial in 2026."

Judge Chutkan: "He has a right to a fair trial. But what is a fair amount of time to prepare. The 12 million pages are not truly indicative of the time he needs to prepare"

She calls some of the documents "duplicative" .. "doesn't need to take 2 years"

It's noticeable how Trump's defense attorney is speaking over the judge .. in multiple exchanges during this argument

Defense: "This is a question of whether one man, one United States citizen, gets a fair trial"

Judge Chutkan is a former trial attorney. As Lauro talks about the lengths of time needed for him to review all of the grand jury transcripts and witness statements....

Judge interjects to say: We know that isn't a big a universe of documents as you're arguing

!! Judge to defense: "You and I have a very different" estimate of the time needed to prepare for trial

Defense says they're going to raise the issue of "executive immunity" and will question whether this court even has jurisdiction in case. "We're going to have a very, very unique and extensive motion that deals with executive immunity"

And... defense attorney John Lauro tells judge the defense expects to file a "selective prosecution" motion... citing the 2024 campaign and Hunter Biden

Defense says they're going to challenge the "obstruction" charge.. and whether it's appropriate in this case

Other Jan 6 defendants have done the same

Defense tells judge: "We're going to be back many, many times" arguing the novel issues in the case

Judge chuckles: "Can't wait"

Defense: "This is one of the most unique cases, from a legal perspective, ever brought in the history of the United States. Ever"

He's arguing the unique, novel issues of case warrant a longer wait for trial

Special Counsel prosecutor Molly Gaston now gets to respond to the extended defense arguments

Standby

Prosecutor says defense "doesn't want to admit" that thru electronic searches and modern American trial prep tools, Trump can be ready much earlier than 2026

Prosecutor uses defense attorney John Lauro's own words against him .... she says the night of the indictment, Lauro called the criminal case a "regurgitation" of the Jan 6 Select Cmte investigation

Indicating.. he understood the case quickly

Prosecutor cites Lauro's media & podcast interviews during week of Trump indictment earlier this month

She says Lauro claimed to have read Mike Pence's book twice... and that Lauro said he was already planning Pence cross-examination

Prosecutor: "We are not starting fresh"

Prosecutor Molly Gaston talks about defense's plan to file an "executive immunity" motion challenging case

Gaston: "Let's have that motion"... but set a trial date

Gaston says "There is an extraordinary public interest" in a fair and speedy trial"

"On a near daily basis, the defendant posts on social media about this case" ... "this potentially prejudices the jury pool"

Prosecution is leaning heavily into the argument that Trump's social media posts and statements require the "soonest possible trial date"..... including by mentioning Trump's comments about case, possible witnesses and the District of Columbia

Prosecutor concludes this part of her argument. Judge Chutkan shifts to a discussion of some of the classified information procedures in this case. The so-called "CIPA" issues.

There are classified material issues in this case too

Prosecution team says there's a "limited amount of classified information" to make available to defense... but it's less than 100 pages... and a transcript of a witness interview that's approx. 125 pages.

Prosecution says the classified info matters should NOT impact trial date

Extended discussion over the classified info matters. About getting clearances and a possible September hearing on the matter

As the classified info talk continues..... I'm looking back at my notes on the prosecutor's argument for prompt trial

Prosecutor said Trump has disparaged witnesses, integrity of the court, DC itself

At previous hearing, Judge expressed concern such Trump posts would happen

Defense says they will file "motions to dismiss" ... calling case a "political prosecution"

And John Lauro says they'll likely seek an evidentiary hearing for "selective prosecution" challenge .. making clear the defense is going to load up case with challenges

Judge Chutkan calls for 5-10 minute recess

Then she'll re-convene court to determine trial date

STANDBY

Judge is back. Not even five minutes

Here we go

Judge: "I understand all too well.. the need for counsel to ... prepare for trial." Especially in a case like this, she says

"I take seriously the defense's request that Mr Trump be handled like any other defendant. And I intend to do so"

@TheNewsOwl yay

@TheNewsOwl Justice delayed is justice denied (or pardoned).

@TheNewsOwl fine his ass for contempt yeah the lawyer

@TheNewsOwl is this on live tv?

@TheNewsOwl Here we go! 😁

@TheNewsOwl please Judge Chutkan we need justice cause justice matters

@TheNewsOwl shove that motion to dismiss and selective prosecution challenge where the sun don't shine

@TheNewsOwl whoo hoo you go girl

@TheNewsOwl oh my goodness the man...this defense attorney is being so condescending

@catlynne333 @TheNewsOwl They're trying to provoke the judge hoping she'll have to recuse herself. A caution and, if repeated, a finding of contempt would probably be appropriate at this point.

@Coctaanatis I agree contempt give him a whopping fine @TheNewsOwl

@TheNewsOwl They're going to literally play the Nixon card? Let's see how that works out for them.

@TheNewsOwl Typical of males who generally disrespect women byy interrupting, talking over them, not listening. She's a woman, so he's disrespecting her because of that.

@ToolPackinMama @TheNewsOwl I hate to say this cause i usually dont believe it but he was mansplaining in fact the poster boy for that

@TheNewsOwl
It's imperative that the trials *must* be completed before November 2024 in my opinion. The defense are trying to get beyond the election in the hope that TFG wins the Presidency.

@stueytheround @TheNewsOwl

That’s the Chumper plan —

@stueytheround @TheNewsOwl
Yep
If he wins, he'll pardon himself creating (yet another) constitutional crisis over the question of where it not he can do that.
Obviously, from a legal/constitutional perspective he can't.
👉Realpolitik says he can do whatever he isn't stopped from doing👈

@TheNewsOwl wahh i am understaffed Hire more attorneys asshat

@TheNewsOwl Thanks for this 🩵