Lawyers for Donald Trump assert that his attempts to sow doubt on the 2020 election were within his official duties as president and should be exempt from criminal prosecution.

According to a new filing, Trump’s lawyers argue that these claims were an integral part of his official responsibilities.

To this end, they have requested the dismissal of charges against him for alleged election interference.

Additionally, they have sought a delay in his classified documents case, urging the trial to be scheduled after the 2024 presidential election.

In a separate case in New York, Trump’s attorneys have also filed a motion to have 34 felony charges of falsifying business records dismissed.

The charges relating to the 2020 election were brought against Trump in Washington DC by special prosecutor Jack Smith, who contends that Trump impeded the normal transfer of presidential power following his unsuccessful legal challenges to the vote.

Specifically, Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.

Trump has consistently claimed that the charges against him, including all other ongoing legal cases, are politically motivated.

Trump’s lawyers have requested a postponement of the Florida classified documents case, which is also being prosecuted by Jack Smith’s office. The trial, currently scheduled for May 2024, would be pushed back to at least mid-November to avoid interference with next year’s presidential vote on 5 November.

More than 325 classified files, some marked “Secret” and “Top Secret,” were found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, stored in various locations including a ballroom, bathroom, and shower.

Trump’s legal team argues that they have not been given sufficient access to classified material and witness statements, and have previously claimed that a fair trial would be impossible amidst a presidential campaign.