Donald Trump indicted, requests judge to discuss classified documents outside SCIF.
Special Counsel and Former President Clash Over Proposed Court Order
Special counsel Jack Smith and former President Donald Trump are currently engaged in a dispute over a provision in a proposed court order. This provision would prohibit Trump and his attorneys from discussing classified information outside of a secure setting, according to recent court filings.
Prosecutors Argue for Secure Discussions
In a revised motion for a protective order, prosecutors working for Smith stated that classified information should only be discussed in sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs). They firmly rejected any suggestion of allowing discussions in other locations.
Trump’s attorneys expressed concerns about the inconvenience posed by this limitation and requested permission for Trump to discuss classified information with his counsel in his office at Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster. However, prosecutors argued that allowing such discussions in a private residence would be exceptional and inconsistent with the law.
The prosecutors emphasized that Trump should be treated like any other private citizen and should not be granted extraordinary authority to discuss classified information at his residence. They highlighted the irony of seeking permission to do so in the very location where he is charged with willfully retaining the documents in question.
The second issue at hand involved Trump aide Walt Nauta, another defendant in the case, who wanted personal access to classified information. Prosecutors objected to this request, stating that the charges against Nauta did not necessitate such access.
Protective Orders and Revised Proposal
Protective orders are standard requests made in federal cases involving classified information, as outlined in the Classified Information Procedures Act. Smith’s revised protective order proposal was filed on Thursday, the same day he revealed a superseding indictment naming a third defendant and charging Trump with three additional crimes, including obstruction of justice.
Trump, who is currently the leading 2024 GOP candidate, criticized Smith over the news, accusing him of conducting an illegal witch hunt. Trump’s and Nauta’s attorneys have until August 10 to issue responses regarding the protective order.
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