A federal judge called out special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors for causing a delay in an unrelated hearing in a Jan. 6 criminal case.
On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden sent a U.S. marshal to summon Smith’s prosecutors from a grand jury room to his courtroom as they where were reportedly interrogating a Trump-connected witness.
The move reportedly triggered Thomas Windom, a leading prosecutor on Smith’s team investigating Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 election, to march down the courthouse hallway and enter McFadden’s courtroom during an ongoing Jan. 6 proceeding.
Politico has more:
McFadden continued reading from his verdict for 10 minutes before summoning Windom to the bench for a six-minute sealed conversation that was obscured from the packed courtroom by a white noise “husher.” Windom then returned to the grand jury room and McFadden continued to read from the verdict.
The dispute centered on the role of Klein’s attorney, Stanley Woodward, who also represents a constellation of Trump associates involved in Smith’s probes. Woodward arrived 25 minutes late for the 2 p.m. verdict, prompting a frustrated McFadden to demand an explanation.
Woodward initially asked to speak to the judge in private, citing grand jury secrecy rules, but McFadden made clear he absolved Woodward of his secrecy obligations and asked for an explanation in open court.
Woodward revealed that he had a client before the grand jury who was being asked questions that implicate “executive privilege.” He said prosecutors had assured him they would halt their questioning in time for Woodward to appear at the verdict, but when they did not, he felt obligated to remain by the grand jury room.
It’s unclear which of Woodward’s clients was appearing before the grand jury but numerous reports indicated White House aide William Russell was expected to appear before the grand jury on Thursday. (RELATED: Trump Aide Expected to Testify To Grand Jury Investigating Jan. 6)
McFadden, a Trump appointee, said he accepted Woodward’s explanation while criticizing the Justice Department. McFadden said the DOJ had separately assured him the grand jury matters would not interfere with the 2 p.m. session.
“Talking about obstructions of an official proceeding,” McFadden said, a biting reference to the charge that prosecutors have leveled against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants and may be eyeing for Trump himself. “The government has not acted as I required.”
Earlier this week, Trump announced that Smith’s prosecutors sent a letter indicating that Trump is likely to be indicted soon in the Jan. 6 investigation.
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Good job Nancy. You assembled the facts and reactions very well without bias.
Jack off smith is lower than a pile of adam schitt!
Bravo Judge take him down