The trial of former US President Donald Trump over the way he handled classified documents after he left the White House will begin on May 20 next year, the court in charge of the case announced today.

The trial will begin in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida on May 20, 2024, said Judge Eileen Cannon.

Prosecutors had asked for the trial to begin next December, while defense lawyers argued that the trial should take place after the November 2024 presidential election, in which the tycoon will be a candidate.

Therefore, the trial will take place amid the Republican primary campaign to nominate the party’s presidential nominee.

Thirty-seven charges have been brought against Trump in mid-June in this case, including “unlawful withholding of national security information”, “obstruction of justice” and “perjury”.

The former president pleaded not guilty in federal court in Miami.

Leaving the White House, Donald Trump took with him entire boxes of thousands of documents, some of which were classified. A 1978 law requires all US presidents to turn over all their e-mails, letters and other work documents to the National Archives.