Story highlights
Trump University is the defunct for-profit real estate school accused by former students of fraud
Attorneys cite the demands of the grueling presidential transition period
Donald Trump’s attorneys want the upcoming trial on Trump University postponed until after his swearing-in.
Attorneys filed a motion Saturday night in federal court in San Diego asking for the trial date to be continued from November 28 to a date after the presidential inauguration on January 20.
They argue that such a postponement is most important for the President-elect because he must not be impeded from pursuing the arduous presidential transition.
“This is an unprecedented circumstance,” the attorneys said in their motion, which was first reported by Politico.
Trump University is the defunct, for-profit real estate school accused by former students of fraud. Trump remains at the center of three civil cases filed against his controversial education business venture, including the one scheduled for trial in San Diego on November 28.
“The 69 days until inauguration are critical and all-consuming. President-elect Trump must receive daily security briefings, make executive appointments (ultimately, thousands), and establish relationships with appointees, members of Congress, governors and foreign leaders. He must also develop important policy priorities,” attorneys said.
“Now that the election is over, we submit that the President-elect should not be required to stand trial during the next two months while he prepares to assume the presidency. The time and attention to prepare and testify will take him away from imperative transition work at a critical time.”
The motion says the plaintiffs have “a right to trial of their claims, but their rights will not be abridged if trial were continued to a date after the inauguration.”
Trump isn’t “seeking to stay this case indefinitely,” but requests a “modest continuance” to after the inauguration, the motion said.