The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's classified documents case has given his legal team a July 13 deadline on organizing sensitive evidence that will be the focal point of his eventual trial.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon told lawyers for Trump and Walt Nauta, who recently pleaded not guilty to the allegation he helped obstruct the federal government's attempt to get back classified documents, that they have until July 13 to "complete all outstanding applicant tasks required to obtain the requisite security clearances in this matter."
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Before a trial can commence, the court needs to follow guidelines under what is known as the Classified Information Procedures Act to decide how sensitive materials involved in legal proceedings can be protected, as well as decide how they can be revealed or discussed in a trial setting.
Trump pleaded not guilty last month to 37 federal charges in connection to the classified documents case, including 31 counts of willful retention of classified documents under the Espionage Act.
As part of an investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith, Trump is accused of attempting to block the federal government from gaining back classified materials he kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort house in Palm Beach, Florida, including allegedly asking Nauta to move boxes of documents before the FBI visited his home to recover the records.
Because the case involves classified materials, which are barred from anyone without necessary clearances, the CIPA process could further delay the road to a trial as prosecutors must find a way to use these materials as evidence without disclosing their sensitive contents.
Cannon initially set a trial date for Aug. 14 but federal prosecutors say the former president's legal team likely needs more time to obtain security clearances to view the classified records. The Justice Department has suggested a trial date start in December.
Nauta's not guilty plea on Thursday began the complex CIPA process of the legal proceedings. That came just one day after authorities on Wednesday revealed fresh details about the affidavit the FBI used to obtain a warrant to search Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence last August.
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Among the new details was surveillance footage that appeared to show Nauta moving around boxes in May and June of last year.
The Washington Examiner contacted members of Trump's legal team for response.