Donald Trump's trial date has been set for 4 March 2024.
Donald Trump's trial will start in March 2024
The timing means that Trump's trial on charges of plotting to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election could start nearly eight months to the day before the 2024 presidential vote.
It also comes just one day before Super Tuesday - when several states nominate their Republican or Democratic candidate for the White House.
Trump is the firm favourite to win the Republican nomination to take on President Joe Biden and has a considerable lead in the polls.
US district judge Tanya Chutkan denied a defence request to postpone the trial until April 2026 but has also set it later than the January date proposed by special counsel Jack Smith and his team.
Judge Chutkan said: "The public has a right to a prompt and efficient resolution to the matter."
Trump vowed to "appeal" the trial date as he took aim at the case against him in a Truth Social post.
The former president said: "Deranged Jack Smith and his team of Thugs, who were caught going to the White House just prior to indicting the 45th President of the United States (an absolute No No!), have been working on this Witch Hunt for almost 3 years, but decided to bring it smack in the middle of Crooked Joe Biden's Political Opponent's campaign against him.
"Election Interference! Today, a biased Trump Hating Judge gave me only a two month extension, just what our corrupt government wanted, SUPER TUESDAY. I will APPEAL!"
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