WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump asked a federal judge Thursday to postpone until 2026 a trial in Washington on charges that the former president plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Special counsel Jack Smith’s team is expected to oppose the Trump team’s request, which seeks to put off his trial until nearly a year and a half after the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is currently the early front-runner for the Republican nomination.

The Justice Department has recommended a trial start date of Jan. 2, 2024.

The question is ultimately up to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is expected to set at least a tentative trial date during an Aug. 28 court hearing.

In a court filing Thursday evening, Trump's lawyers say the extended delay is warranted because of the “massive” amount of information they have to review and because of scheduling conflicts with the other criminal cases Trump is facing. They also contend that the case concerns unprecedented questions that will take time to sort out.

A four-count indictment issued this month, with charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, accuses Trump of working to subvert the results of the election in a futile attempt to cling to power.

Trump's 2024 calendar is expected to be packed with court dates and campaign appearances as he is confronting both a presidential primary season and four criminal cases in four different cities.

“President Trump must prepare for each of these trials in the coming months. All are independently complex and will require substantial work to defend. Several will likely require President Trump’s presence at some or all trial proceedings,” the defense lawyers wrote.

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