A group of police officers and lawmakers suing former President Donald Trump over his alleged role in the January 6 Capitol attack is criticizing him for a last-minute switch in legal counsel that could delay a critical hearing.
The plaintiffs, who include officers present during the riot and lawmakers such as Eric Swalwell, had their cases consolidated under a federal judge to streamline proceedings.
They allege that Trump, along with co-defendant Rudy Giuliani, played a key role in inciting the violence that erupted at the Capitol in 2021.
The upcoming hearing, scheduled for December 19, 2025, is set to determine whether Trump is entitled to presidential immunity, a decision that could significantly affect the case’s progress.
However, Trump’s new legal team recently requested more time to prepare, proposing the hearing be postponed to as late as January 12, 2026, or the next available date.
The plaintiffs argue that this delay is unwarranted. They point out that the December hearing date had been confirmed by all parties, including Trump’s prior attorneys, and that the case has already been ongoing for nearly five years. They warn that pushing back the hearing repeatedly risks undermining the pursuit of timely justice.
Trump’s attorneys maintain that the new lawyer requires additional time to review records and formulate arguments. The plaintiffs counter that hiring new counsel is the president’s decision and should not justify disrupting a date that had been mutually agreed upon.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the high-profile case, as both sides prepare for a pivotal hearing that could determine the legal fate of Trump in connection with one of the most significant events in recent U.S. political history.