News

Federal Judge sets March 2024 as start date for Trump election trial

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2023

This date marks the middle of the Republican primary elections. Trump’s defence lawyers had pushed for a 2026 trial, but were rejected.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has announced a trial date of March 4, 2024. This timing has sparked speculation about the potential impact of the trial on the 2024 presidential race, placing it squarely within the Republican primaries and on the eve of Super Tuesday.

The decision was reached after a hearing on Monday during which Judge Chutkan considered arguments from both Trump’s legal team and federal prosecutors regarding the appropriate trial timeline.

Special counsel Jack Smith proposed a January trial start, with jury selection commencing in December of the present year. Conversely, Trump’s lawyers advocated for a trial delay until April 2026, after the next presidential election.

Judge Chutkan expressed her dissatisfaction with the extreme differences in proposed schedules, asserting, “Neither of them is acceptable.” She emphasised that the trial should be a priority for Trump and declined to alter the schedule based on other professional commitments, even if they involve high-profile individuals.

Chutkan underscored the importance of a fair and prompt administration of justice for the public interest. In response, Trump’s legal team argued that a trial in the coming year would infringe upon the former president’s rights, citing the extensive volume of evidence prosecutors have provided.

Calling the proposed schedule a “show trial,” Trump’s lawyer, John Lauro, stated, “Mr. Trump is not above the law, but he is not below the law.”

Following Judge Chutkan’s decision, Lauro registered his objection on the record, asserting that the trial date would hinder their ability to adequately represent Trump. Acknowledging his objection, Chutkan proceeded with the proceedings.

While the special counsel’s request for an early trial was deemed premature by Chutkan, Trump’s suggested date of 2026 was characterised as unreasonable.

Chutkan rebuffed the notion, stating, “Discovery in 2023 is not sitting in a warehouse with boxes of paper looking at every single page.”

Chutkan firmly stated that the trial would not occur in 2026, highlighting that Trump’s legal team has had ample time to prepare.

The existence of a grand jury investigating Trump has been public knowledge since September 2022, and many witnesses’ identities have been disclosed.

The federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., recently indicted Trump on four charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the right to vote.

Trump, having pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in August, faces allegations of conspiring to undermine the legitimate outcome of the 2020 presidential election and impede the certification of its results.

Prosecutors have pushed for a January trial start, citing the importance of a swift trial, especially considering the nature of the case involving a former president.

Meanwhile, Trump’s defence, aiming for an April 2026 trial, has cited the extensive discovery process and Trump’s ongoing legal entanglements in other jurisdictions. As the legal proceedings progress, their intersection with the 2024 presidential race remains a topic of intrigue and speculation.

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

16 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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News

Trump escalates Greenland rhetoric as Davos leaders push back on sovereignty

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

Published

16 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

President Trump has intensified his remarks over Greenland, claiming the U.S. is the only nation capable of ensuring peace in the Arctic, sparking sharp pushback from European leaders. His rhetoric, including hints at potential tariffs, comes as international attention turns to the strategic territory.

The debate has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump confirmed plans to meet regarding Greenland following a positive conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has warned that the territory must be ready for potential military scenarios.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in from Davos, drawing a firm line on sovereignty, declaring Greenland’s independence non-negotiable. The unfolding standoff highlights rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with global powers increasingly staking their claims.

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News

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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