Trump lawyers seek April 2026 trial date in federal election ... - PBS
The suggested date is a counter to the Justice Department's recommendation last week of a Jan. 2, 2024, trial.
www.pbs.orgHere are some of the main recent developments involving Donald Trump as of mid‑April 2026:
Iran talks and Strait of Hormuz
- Trump said on April 15 that talks to end the ongoing war with Iran could resume this week, after earlier negotiations collapsed.[1]
- Following the breakdown of talks in Pakistan, he ordered the U.S. Navy to begin a maritime blockade of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday.[2]
Public comments and media
- Trump has been giving frequent interviews and calls to media outlets about the Iran conflict and its global impact; in a recent phone call with Sky News he described the situation in stark terms and defended his administration’s approach (UK report dated April 15, 2026).[3]
- The White House has released several short “gaggle” videos of Trump speaking to the press at Joint Base Andrews in early and mid‑April 2026, responding to questions on Iran, domestic politics, and his administration’s priorities.[4]
Legal and political background
- Before returning to office, Trump’s legal team had asked a federal judge to postpone his federal election‑subversion trial in Washington until April 2026, arguing they needed time to review millions of pages of evidence and manage conflicting court dates in several other criminal cases.[5][6]
- Prosecutors opposed that request, saying such a delay would deny the public a speedy trial and overstated the complexity of the evidence.[7]
Use of power against critics
- Since returning to the presidency, Trump has faced criticism over what opponents describe as efforts to use federal power against perceived adversaries; for example, ABC News reported in February 2026 on investigations and attempted actions against several individuals, including former special counsel Jack Smith, tied to their previous roles in cases against Trump.[8]