Judge strikes DOJ filings in Trump documents case, questions ‘out-of-district’ grand jury.
The Judge’s Rebuke: Demanding Answers from the Justice Department
The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case has delivered a scathing rebuke to the Justice Department. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, in a Monday order, demanded an explanation for the use of an “out-of-district grand jury.”
Protecting Grand Jury Secrecy
Special counsel Jack Smith had requested to file two supplements under seal, arguing that it was necessary to protect grand jury secrecy. However, Judge Cannon denied this request in her order. She also called on Smith to clarify “the legal propriety of using an out-of-district grand jury proceeding to continue to investigate and/or to seek post-indictment hearings on matters pertinent to the instant indicted matter in this district.”
“Clerk is directed to Strike from the docket sealed entries 95 and 96,” according to the docket text from the case, which is being handled in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Furthermore, Judge Cannon set an August 17 deadline for Trump’s co-defendant, Walt Nauta, to respond to a Justice Department motion. The motion informed Nauta that his attorney, Stanley Woodward, has represented “at least seven other individuals who have been questioned in connection with the investigation.” The government requested a Garcia hearing with Woodward’s client to “inform them of potential risks and inquire into possible waivers.”
Both Trump and his co-defendants have the option to file their own briefs on the grand jury matter by August 17, although Judge Cannon stated that this was not mandatory. The prosecution, on the other hand, must file its response by August 22.
The Mystery of the Grand Jury
It remains unclear where the grand jury mentioned by Judge Cannon is being convened. However, the government’s August 2 motion for the Garcia hearing referenced a grand jury in the District of Columbia. Additionally, a grand jury in the Southern District of Florida is still actively investigating matters related to the Mar-a-Lago case.
“The grand jury in this district and a grand jury in the District of Columbia continued to investigate further obstructive activity,” according to a background section for the government’s August 2 motion for the Garcia hearing.
Trump’s Legal Battle
Donald Trump is currently facing a 38-count indictment that accuses him of willfully hoarding classified documents, including top secret records, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. He is also accused of conspiring with his valet, Walt Nauta, to hide these documents from investigators who demanded their return.
Last week, the former president was arraigned on four counts related to his alleged efforts to subvert his 2020 election loss. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both federal cases.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the office of the special counsel for further information.
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