Judge rejects Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case involving Trump documents.

Special Counsel Jack Smith‍ Faces Criticism‌ from Judge in Trump ⁤Documents Case

Special Counsel Jack ⁣Smith, the⁢ man who indicted former ‌President Donald Trump, ⁤finds himself in hot water as the judge overseeing the Trump classified documents case reprimands him for his last-minute decision to switch ⁤court hearings from Washington, D.C. to Florida.

Judge Aileen Cannon, ‍appointed by Trump in 2020, demands an explanation from Smith regarding the legal propriety of conducting out-of-district‍ grand jury proceedings​ and seeking post-indictment hearings in ​a different ⁢district.

Judge Cannon ⁢also rejects two sealed ⁣filings‌ from the prosecution.

Conflict of ⁣Interest Raises Concerns

In ⁤her filing, Judge Cannon addresses the prosecution’s ⁢request ⁢for a hearing on potential conflicts‌ of interest involving Trump defendant⁤ Waltine ‌Nauta’s lawyer, Stanley Woodward.

The prosecution argues that Woodward has previously represented ⁣one witness and‌ currently represents two ​other witnesses who ⁤will soon testify for the federal government.

Smith believes this connection poses a conflict of interest, stating that Woodward could be in the position of cross-examining past or current clients.

Judge Cannon sets a deadline for​ Nauta’s‌ lawyers⁣ to⁤ respond to⁤ the ​motion by August ⁣17, with the special counsel required to file its ‍response by August 22.

Trump’s⁣ Indictment and Additional Charges

In June, Trump was indicted by ‍a federal grand jury in Miami⁢ on ⁤charges related to the alleged hoarding of classified documents‍ and obstruction of justice.

A superseding indictment was issued in July, adding more charges to the documents case,⁤ including​ allegations that Trump and Nauta attempted to delete surveillance footage at​ Mar-a-Lago.

Recently, Trump was also indicted in⁣ Washington, D.C., on charges related to the 2020 election​ and ⁢events of January 6, 2021.

Trump’s Response

After leaving the courthouse and boarding his plane, Trump expressed his thoughts on the indictment.

“This is a very sad day for America,” Trump declared. “This is ⁣a persecution of a political opponent.⁤ This was never supposed ⁢to ‍happen in ‌America.”

“This is a ⁤persecution of the person who is leading by substantial ‍numbers in the Republican primary and⁤ leading Biden by a lot.​ So if you can’t beat him,​ you persecute him, or you prosecute ​him. We can’t let this ​happen in America,”⁤ he added.

Source: Judge Presiding Over Trump Documents Case Smacks Down Special Counsel Jack Smith