The judge overseeing the Mar-a-Lago documents case, Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, has indicated that the trial will likely be held in a conservative-leaning courthouse. Judge Cannon plans to hold the trial at the Fort Pierce courthouse, which is known for its Republican support in the surrounding districts. Legal experts suggest this location could provide Trump with a favorable jury pool as it is considered a solidly conservative venue.

As a result, potential jurors will be selected from Highlands County (with 66% Trump support), Indian River County (with 60% Trump support), Martin County (with 62% Trump support), Okeechobee County (with 72% Trump support), and St. Lucie County (with 50.38% Trump support). These counties all demonstrated their preference for Trump in the 2020 election. However, St. Lucie County, which had around 172,000 votes cast, only favored Trump with 50.4% of the vote.

Florida state attorney Dave Aronberg acknowledged that Fort Pierce provides a more conservative jury pool, but noted that jurors from St. Lucie offer more political diversity.

Judge Cannon ordered the trial and related hearings to be held at the Fort Pierce courthouse, leaving open the possibility of relocation as the case progresses.

Initially arraigned in Miami, the decision to move the trial to Fort Pierce was Judge Cannon’s responsibility as the sole district judge there.

Aronberg speculated that the trial could potentially be moved to the West Palm Beach courthouse, where Trump resides and the classified documents were allegedly stored. He expressed doubt that the case would stay in Fort Pierce.