New court documents reveal that Judge Aileen Cannon will meet with former President Donald Trump’s attorneys on February 12 regarding a trial related to mishandling classified documents.
The case, filed by the Department of Justice and Special Counsel Jack Smith, includes 31 counts against Trump.
An “ex parte” hearing will address motions filed by the DOJ under the Classified Information Procedures Act.
“Defense counsel shall be prepared to discuss their defense theories of the case in detail and how any classified information might be relevant or helpful to the defense,” the filing read.
The defense will present their theories, and the court will subsequently hear arguments from the special counsel.
“Cannon is drawing within the proverbial lines of what CIPA permits, as the statute does afford discretion to hear ex parte from the defense, but it is not the norm for judges to do so,” attorney Bradley Moss said.
“What matters more than the process she is affording Mr. Trump is the substance of her rulings. If, as I expect, she rules in favor of the government, all Trump will have won is a time delay.”
February 13 is reserved for additional discussions if necessary.
“The defendants’ insinuations have scant factual or legal relevance to their discovery requests, but they should not stand uncorrected,” the prosecution motion stated.
Meanwhile, House Republicans have contested Smith’s authority to bring charges against Trump, claiming lack of proper oversight and constitutional authority.
There are arguments about the validity of Smith’s appointment as special counsel.
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