Monday, April 29, 2024

Judge Sides With Trump On Protective Order In 2020 Election Case

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The federal judge overseeing former President Donald Trump‘s 2020 election case has sided with 's defense attorneys on loosening a protective order on evidence in the case. 

On Friday, Trump's lawyers returned to federal court in Washington, D.C., for a hearing before U.S. District Judge , who is overseeing special counsel Jack Smith‘s 2020 election meddling case.

In court filings, prosecutors had argued for broad rules baring Trump's lawyers from sharing “sensitive” materials with the former president, including witness testimony to the grand jury and recordings and transcripts of Trump associates who spoke to prosecutors. Trump's attorneys argued that the 's request was too broad and infringed on Trump's First Amendment rights. (RELATED: Trump Argues Jack Smith's Protective Order Violates Free Speech)

Judge Chutkan said she was not persuaded that the government has shown all information gathered in the case would fall under the protective order. She ruled that only information designated as “sensitive” should be protected. 

 “The defendant has the right to free speech, but that right is not absolute,” Chutkan said at the onset of the hearing. “Without a protective order, a party could release that info to the jury pool.” 

Federal prosecutor Thomas Windom said Friday the restrictions were necessary to prevent the “improper dissemination of materials … including to the public.” 

“The defendant has set forth an intention to set forth any information that they deem informative,” Windom told the judge. 

“Defense has broadcast their strategy, and that is not to try this case in this courtroom, and your honor should address that,” he said. 

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Nancy Jackson
Nancy Jackson
Nancy grew up in the South where her passion for politics first began. After getting her BA in journalism from Ole Miss she became an arts and culture writer for Athens Magazine where she enjoyed reporting on the eclectic music and art scene in Athens, GA. However, her desire to report on issues and policies impacting everyday Americans won out and she packed her bags for Washington, DC. Now, she splits her time between the Nation’s Capital and Philadelphia where she covers the fast-paced environment of politics, business, and news. In her off time, you can find Nancy exploring museums or enjoying brunch with friends.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Yes she is trying to appear to not be partial so she doesn’t have to recuse herself. Everyone knows she’s acpartisan hack.

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