The prosecution of former President Donald Trump took another turn late last week when Special Counsel Jack Smith requested a delay in the case. 

According to The Hill, Smith filed a motion on Friday that Judge Aileen Cannon schedule Trump's trial to begin on December 11 rather than its current start date of August 14.

Smith cites need for defense attorneys to obtain security clearances

Smith cited the need for defense counsel to obtain security clearances so that they may receive and review classified evidence.

The New York Times reported earlier this month that Cannon ordered Trump's attorney's to make application for the necessary clearances, telling them to contact the Department of Justice's Litigation Security Group.

The Times cited an unnamed source as saying that two of Trump's lawyers, Todd Blanche and Christopher M. Kise, have already sought security clearances.

The individual explained that someone at Kise's firm already holds a security clearance, while Blanche previously held one while working as a federal prosecutor.

Motion asks that Trump be barred from contact witnesses

Smith's motion went on to point out that the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) allows for pretrial motions to consider the special matters that may come up in cases concerning classified information.

"Even with the prompt production the government has arranged, the inclusion of additional time for defense counsel to review and digest the discovery, to make their own decisions about any production to the government, and for the government to review the same, is reasonable and appropriate," Smith's filing was quoted as saying.

JUST IN: In a series of filings, Special Counsel Jack Smith asks Judge Cannon:

(1) To delay Trump/Nauta’s trial to December 11, 2023;

(2) To file a sealed list of witnesses that Trump/Nauta are prohibited from speaking to about case;

(3) For a pre-trial conference under CIPA. pic.twitter.com/DBRGKofO5G

— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) June 23, 2023

What's more, Smith also filed another motion seeking to have Trump as well as his aide Walt Nauta from contacting anyone on a sealed list of witnesses.

Nauta, who previously served as Trump's valet at the White House, was indicted a day after charges were laid against the former president.

Delay may impact Trump's ability to campaign

The Hill noted that Trump and Nauta have already been ordered not to contact one another. Nauta has been hit with six charges, including co-conspiring to obstruct the government from retrieving classified documents.

Newsweek observed that a delay in Trump's trial may prevent him from effectively campaigning in the Republican presidential primary.

Smith's proposal would mean that the former president would be going to trial just two months before voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina cast their ballots.