Topline
A judge ruled Monday that evidence in the criminal case against former President Donald Trump and an aide for their alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House cannot be shared with the media or the public, and restricted the defendants’ access to evidence.
Miami, FL – June 13 : Former President Donald Trump boards his airplane, known as “Trump Force One,” … [+] to fly back to NJ minutes after pleading not guilty to federal charges, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami, FL. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Key Facts
U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart filed an order Monday morning stating “discovery materials, along with any information derived therefrom, shall not be disclosed to the public or the news media, or disseminated on any news or social media platform” without prior notice and permission from the court.
Reinhart added in the ruling that neither Trump—nor his aide, Walt Nauta, who is also facing charges—are to be alone with evidence, saying they “shall not retain copies” and must be supervised by a member of their counsel or staff when reviewing any evidence.
The ruling is in response to an unopposed request from Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith, who told the court last week the government is ready to share unclassified discovery with Trump’s team, but it includes “sensitive and confidential information” like unclassified investigative techniques and information pertaining to ongoing investigations.
Key Background
Earlier this month, Trump was indicted on 37 felony charges for allegedly mishandling classified documents in a way that put national security at risk, making him the first former president to face federal charges. The indictment stems from an investigation into classified documents that were brought to Trump’s Mar-A-Lago property after his presidential term. The indictment alleges the former president was hiding classified documents throughout Mar-A-Lago, and that he asked his lawyers to lie about having documents after receiving a subpoena legally requiring him to return the records. Trump has since appeared for an arraignment, continued campaigning and compared the “joke of an indictment” to the two impeachment efforts when he was in office. In national polls taken and released shortly after the indictment, Trump’s lead over other GOP challengers for the 2024 nomination increased. Trump has also been indicted in New York State on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Further Reading
US judge orders Trump lawyers not to share evidence ahead of trial (Reuters)
Trump Indictment Unsealed: 37 Felony Counts Allege He Could Have Put National Security At Risk (Forbes)
