In the ongoing legal battle waged against former President Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, every day seemingly brings a new twist or turn. 

According to the Washington Examiner, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who's overseeing the federal case, issued a strict deadline to Trump's legal team as far as preparing certain items before a trial can begin.

Part of the process in such a case are guidelines that must be set under the Classified Information Procedures Act.

The law instructs parties involved in case related to classified documents to decide how the evidence will be treated in testimony and trial, with the ultimate effort of protecting the information from the public's eyes and ears.

The process

Obtaining the security clearances necessary to handle evidence in the trial provides the most headaches, especially with large legal teams involved on both sides.

Judge Cannon told Trump's team that it has until July 13 to "complete all outstanding applicant tasks required to obtain the requisite security clearances in this matter."

The judge also issued the same demand to the legal team of former Trump valet Walt Nauta, who recently pleaded not guilty to many of the same charges brought against the former president.

"Trump docs case: Judge Cannon today ordered all attorneys of record to complete “outstanding applicant tasks” required to obtain security clearance. She wants each attorney to file a notice of compliance by July 13. First pre-trial conference is currently set for July 1," Anna Bower tweeted.

Trump docs case: Judge Cannon today ordered all attorneys of record to complete “outstanding applicant tasks” required to obtain security clearance. She wants each attorney to file a notice of compliance by July 13.

First pre-trial conference is currently set for July 14. pic.twitter.com/2tprBY2Jnm

— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) July 6, 2023

The Examiner noted:

Cannon initially set a trial date for Aug. 14 but federal prosecutors say the former president's legal team likely needs more time to obtain security clearances to view the classified records. The Justice Department has suggested a trial date start in December.

Upcoming trial

Given that Trump is running for the White House, the timing of the trial could have significant political consequences one way or another.

While Trump's legal team is under the gun, they received a bit of welcoming news last week in that Cannon has suggested that the trial will take place in her home legal base of Fort Pierce, Florida.

The jury pool from that area would be more favorable to the former president, as they would be selected from Trump-heavy counties.

Only time will tell when Trump's trial will kick off, but it'll definitely be one of the most closely-watched trials, of any kind, in recent U.S. history.