Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has proposed a delay of up to 30 days in the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump due to the recent submission of 31,000 pages of records necessary for the case. These documents, tied to the investigation into Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, were handed over after being requested more than a year ago. The trial, initially scheduled to start on 25th March, is centered on allegations that Trump falsified business records related to hush-money payments.

Trump’s defense team had previously sought a trial postponement, citing a yet-to-be-decided claim of “presidential immunity” by the US Supreme Court. This trial in Manhattan marks the first of four criminal cases against Trump, accentuating its significance ahead of the presidential election where he is a leading Republican candidate.

The delay request by Bragg follows critiques of Trump’s legal team for not promptly requesting the necessary materials, which led to a sudden influx of documents. In response to the prosecution’s call for delay, Trump’s spokesperson criticized the basis of the case, emphasizing efforts to seek its dismissal.

Trump is facing several legal battles, including charges in Georgia related to the 2020 election, federal charges concerning attempts to overturn the presidential election results, and mishandling classified documents. These legal challenges arise amidst Trump’s re-election campaign, with the New York case specifically focusing on payments made to Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

The potential trial delay, which seeks to extend the start date to late April pending Judge Juan Merchan’s decision, could influence the timing of the courtroom proceedings in relation to the November presidential election. Trump, who has entered a plea of not guilty, denies the encounter with Daniels. The case’s outcome could have significant repercussions on Trump’s bid for the presidency, as it unfolds amidst various accusations and ongoing legal disputes.