CNN
—
Special Counsel Jack Smith Group He asks Judge in Secret Documents Case Vs Donald Trump The former president and his defense team must be barred from publicly disclosing certain materials shared in the criminal case as part of the discovery process.
In a new filing on Friday, Smith’s team said the unclassified materials that prosecutors are turning over to the defense include “information related to ongoing investigations that could compromise those investigations and identify unindicted individuals.”
The filing, which includes the proposed protections order, is the practical step Trump has now anticipated has entered his not guilty plea And the proceedings move forward. Attorneys for Trump and his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, did not oppose the requested protective order, the filing said.
US District Judge Eileen Cannon is a Trump appointee appointed to prosecute the case, citing local court rules, referred the matter to U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart. Reinhardt authorized a search warrant executed by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago last year.
Smith’s team said in the filing that “the government is prepared to provide unclassified discovery to the defense.”
“Discovery materials include sensitive and confidential information, including personal and financial data, “sensitive” investigative techniques, and information revealing information about potential witnesses. Some of that information may be in grand jury transcripts or recordings of witness interviews.
“It also includes information related to ongoing investigations, the disclosure of which could compromise those investigations and identify individuals who have not been charged,” the filing said.
The special counsel’s proposed protective order barred defendants and their attorneys from disclosing discovery materials to “persons employed directly or indirectly by or to assist the defense, persons interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and such other persons as the court may authorize disclosure.”
The order would also require those on defense teams who have access to discovery material to sign an agreement agreeing to restrictions on sharing it, and would require defendants to view the material only under the supervision of their counsel. Additionally, defendants are not allowed to keep copies of the materials.
“Discovery materials, and any information derived therefrom, may not be disclosed to the public or the news media, or on any news or social media platform, without the prior notice and approval of the United States or the approval of a court,” the proposed order states.
On another front, the Justice Department reiterated to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan on Friday that it would not provide Smith with information that could compromise his investigations into Trump, according to a series of letters DOJ officials sent to the Ohio Republican.
Jordan has continued to press Justice Department officials for details about the Trump investigations and is considering subpoenaing Smith, CNN reported. The DOJ’s response marked the latest in a back-and-forth between the department and Trump’s fiercest allies on Capitol Hill, who have vowed to use their authority to protect the former president.
Underscoring why the department has been less able to share information about ongoing investigations, including documents related to the search for Mar-a-Lago, the DOJ resubmitted to Jordan documents outlining the general scope of Smith’s investigations and the special counsel. Robert Hurr’s investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents.
“Your letter requests non-public information about an ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution by a special prosecutor. The department’s long-standing protections for the confidentiality of such information reflect our commitment to protect the integrity of our work,” Justice Department officials wrote in a response to Jordan.
This story has been updated with additional updates.
