Donald Trump to face trial in mid-August over classified documents charges

Justice department promises speedy trial in Florida following a 37-count indictment, but lengthy delay is still widely expected

US district judge Aileen Cannon has set an initial trial date of 14 August in Florida on former US president Donald Trump's federal charges of willful retention of classified government records and obstruction of justice, according to a court order on Tuesday.

The justice department's special counsel in the case, Jack Smith, promised a speedy trial after a 37-count indictment charging Trump with willfully retaining classified government records and obstructing justice.