Trump may be on trial in New York just weeks before the 2024 Iowa caucuses

• Trump could be on trial just weeks before the closely watched Iowa caucuses.
• New York prosecutors' historic indictment of the former president was publicly released on Tuesday.
• Trump formally pled "not guilty" to a 34-counts of falsifying business records.  

Donald Trump could be on trial in New York just weeks before the 2024 Iowa caucuses, illustrating the headaches that will likely come as the former president tries to juggle court appearances with his political future.

Manhattan prosecutors told Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday that they would like to hold a trial in January 2024 on charges that Trump falsified business recordsas a way to cover up alleged hush money schemes. District Attorney Alvin Bragg's historic 34-count indictment of the former president was publicly released on Tuesday. Trump also formally pled not guilty to the multiple felony counts during his arraignment.

Before a possible trial, Merchan wants Trump to return to court in December for a pre-trial conference. The former president's attorneys vigorously objected to Merchan's desire to have Trump appear in person. The judge said he would wait to make a final decision on that requirement.

Either date is still subject to change. The former president's defense is likely to try to get the case thrown out among several other possible moves. Any potential delays would likely force the case and a potential trial further into the 2024 calendar.

Both dates would create major political headaches for the former president. By December, the 2024 GOP presidential race will be nearing its peak in the final stretch before the Iowa caucuses. Traditionally, candidates stump across Iowa and other early states in a final stretch before the holiday season.

A final date has not yet been selected, but it's expected the 2024 caucuses will be in early February.

The first-in-the-nation caucuses will not come close to determining the nomination. In actuality, Iowa awards relatively few delegates compared to a state such as Texas. Rather the caucuses and later contests in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada will set the tone for the nomination contest and likely winnow the field. Iowa will also be the first time that Trump has been on a ballot since losing the 2020 presidential election.

Despite his popularity in Iowa, Trump also narrowly lost the 2016 caucuses to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. An early loss to a challenger such as potentially Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could be devastating to the former president's chances.