Former President Donald Trump’s federal trial on charges that he unlawfully tried to remain in power following his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden will begin March 4, a DC judge ruled Monday.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan set the trial to begin one day before Super Tuesday, when Republican voters in 15 states and territories go to the polls to select their choice to be the party’s 2024 presidential candidate.

Prosecutors from the office of special counsel Jack Smith had asked Chutkan to set the trial to begin Jan. 2, while the former president’s defense team had pushed for a start date in April 2026.

Chutkan made clear to both sides that she found their proposed schedules unacceptable, telling Trump’s attorney John Lauro that the former president would have to “make the date work regardless of his schedule.” 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.