News - Middle East: US prosecutors have proposed the month of January, which corresponds with the anniversary of the deadly Capitol Hill riot of 2021, as the opening date for the trial of former President Donald Trump.

Media reports said Friday the team of prosecutors headed by Special Counsel Jack Smith recommended January 2 as the date.
The prosecutors say they want to move the case swiftly in Washington's federal court days before the Republican primary contest begins. Smith's team says the Trump trial should take no longer than four to six weeks. 

“A January 2 trial date would vindicate the public’s strong interest in a speedy trial — an interest guaranteed by the Constitution and federal law in all cases, but of particular significance here, where the defendant, a former president, is charged with conspiring to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, obstruct the certification of the election results, and discount citizens’ legitimate votes,” prosecutors said in the court papers. 

The Justice Department accuses the 77-year-old billionaire of plotting with aides to illegally pressure local and national government officials and have party activists fraudulently certify bogus Trump victories in several states won by Joe Biden.
"The government's proposed trial date represents an appropriate balance of the defendant's right to prepare a defense and the public's strong interest in a speedy trial in the case," Smith recommended in the court filing.