Former President Donald Trump will soon attend a hearing in the federal criminal case regarding his handling of classified documents in Florida.
Judge Aileen Cannon
via Guardian News
U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon has granted a 10-day extension in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, despite opposition from prosecutors.
Sensitive materials
via CBS
The case involves sensitive materials recovered from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, with Trump facing 40 federal charges.
More time to prepare
via The Times and The Sunday Times
The extension was granted to allow Trump’s legal team more time to prepare amidst ongoing legal proceedings, including a trial in New York related to hush money allegations.
The classified documents
via The Times and The Sunday Times
A Mar-a-Lago employee referred to as “Trump Employee 5” in the classified documents indictment by special counsel Jack Smith is now publicly speaking out about his involvement in the investigation of former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents.
Criminal obstruction
via UFC
Brian Butler believes voters should know the truth before the November election, contradicting Trump’s claims of a “witch hunt.” Butler’s testimony played a significant role in last year’s criminal obstruction charges against Trump, Walt Nauta, and Carlos De Oliveira.
Using tactics to postpone
via CBS
Special Counsel Jack Smith objected to the delay, suggesting Trump is using tactics to postpone the proceedings.
Pretrial motions
via The Times and The Sunday Times
The case involves ongoing pretrial motions and discussions under the Classified Information Procedures Act.
Crucial information
via CBS
Witness Brian Butler has been cooperating with investigators, distancing himself from Trump’s circle, and providing crucial information in federal investigations. He recounts how he unwittingly assisted Walt Nauta in transporting classified documents from Mar-a-Lago to Trump’s plane in June 2022.
Boxes of documents
via The Times and The Sunday Times
Despite Nauta’s atypical request for an Escalade from Butler’s car service, Butler helped load the plane with luggage and boxes of documents without realizing their significance.
‘That’s what I remember’
via UFC
“They were the boxes that were in the indictment, the white bankers boxes. That’s what I remember loading,” Butler explained.
Federal criminal case
via The Times and The Sunday Times
Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a hearing in the federal criminal case regarding his handling of classified documents in Florida, where his lawyers will argue for the case’s dismissal.
The hearing
via The Times and The Sunday Times
Trump and his co-defendants plan to be present at the hearing in Fort Pierce, seeking additional time to address pending motions.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision
via The Times and The Sunday Times
The filing highlighted the need for preparation for both the Florida case and the upcoming New York criminal trial, with Trump’s attorneys also requesting a delay in the New York trial pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity claims.
Selective prosecution
via The Times and The Sunday Times
Federal prosecutors emphasized significant differences in the classified documents investigations involving Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, countering Trump’s claims of selective prosecution.
Jack Smith’s team
via New York Post
Special counsel Jack Smith’s team argued that Trump’s alleged conduct, which involved the willful retention of highly sensitive materials and obstruction efforts, surpassed that of other officials like Biden.
Deception and obstruction
via New York Post
The prosecutors highlighted Trump’s multifaceted scheme of deception and obstruction, which included directing subordinates to participate in the conspiracy.
A private citizen
via UFC
Trump and his lawyers referenced a report by Justice Department special counsel Robert Hur to argue that Biden, as a private citizen, also retained classified information but wasn’t criminally charged due to insufficient evidence of intent.
Motions to dismiss
via New York Post
A hearing is set for March 14 to address Trump’s motions to dismiss, including his claim of entitlement under the Presidential Records Act, contested by prosecutors. The differences highlighted include Trump’s alleged obstruction and Biden’s cooperation in returning documents.
Evidence strength
via UFC
The cases differ in evidence strength, document volume, sensitivity, and storage risks, with Trump facing charges related to recent classified records.
Legal basis for immunity
via New York Post
Prosecutors reject Trump’s immunity claim, asserting that post-office conduct is not shielded and emphasizing the lack of legal basis for immunity in this case.
