Donald Trump, seeking a return to the White House in 2024, already had a crammed political calendar. Now, with multiple legal dramas set to unfold, it is approaching the point of pure chaos.
A federal judge has scheduled the trial for his alleged effort to overturn the 2020 election for 4 March, the day before Super Tuesday, the biggest voting day in the Republican race.
That trial - in Washington DC - would pull Mr Trump off the campaign trail for a pivotal stretch of his campaign, when he could be securing himself as the Republican standard-bearer or engaged in an extended struggle with one or more remaining rivals.
Mr Trump's lawyers have already vigorously complained about proposed trial schedules conflicting with the presidential campaign, which the former president and his supporters have branded "election interference" by his enemies.
They are sure to continue to try to get the trial date pushed back.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, who has endorsed Mr Trump's presidential bid, called for the judge in the DC case to be removed.
"Their attempts to interfere with the 2024 presidential election are so brazen it's disgusting," he posted on social media.
Mr Trump's legal team had initially proposed an April 2026 date for the federal trial - a timeline the judge said was unacceptable.
