Former President Donald Trump arrived at a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, where a judge heard arguments on whether to dismiss the criminal case accusing him of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving the White House. Trump's motorcade arrived before the hearing began before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was nominated by Trump. The dispute revolves around Trump's interpretation of the Presidential Records Act, with his team arguing that he had the authority to designate the documents as personal and keep them after his presidency. Special counsel Jack Smith's team, on the other hand, argues that the documents are presidential records and not personal ones.

The case against Trump includes 40 felony counts accusing him of willfully retaining classified documents and obstructing government demands to return them. Prosecutors allege that Trump held onto sensitive documents, only returning a fraction of them upon demand, and even instructed his lawyer to hide records and lie to the FBI. The hearing is the second this month in the case, with both sides proposing summertime trial dates.

Trump's lawyers are seeking dismissal based on the Presidential Records Act and the claim that one of the charges presents legal questions. They argue that Trump had the discretion to make documents personal while president and that past precedent should have prevented the investigation. However, prosecutors argue that the documents Trump is accused of retaining are presidential, not personal, and that he was not authorized to possess classified records after leaving office.

The defense team has also filed motions based on claims of vindictive prosecution and presidential immunity. The question of presidential immunity will be considered by the Supreme Court in a separate case tied to Trump's 2020-election related charges. Prosecutors argue that Trump's team is attempting to delay the trial, but have proposed starting criminal proceedings in July. The defense claims a fair trial wouldn't be possible before the 2024 presidential election, but have offered an August or September trial date if necessary.

The hearing in Florida comes after a county judge in Georgia dismissed three charges against Trump in a separate case. Trump still faces other counts in that case and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Cannon granted Trump's request for a 10-day extension to file additional paperwork tied to other motions to dismiss the case. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial or is dismissed before reaching a jury.