US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart has ruled that Donald Trump and his legal team cannot share any evidence related to his upcoming classified documents trial. The former President will not be allowed to keep any of the files and there will be limitations on what he can access.
The sharing of material between lawyers, known as the discovery process, will begin in late June for a trial set for August. Judge Reinhart’s order stated, “The 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 to and consent of the United States or approval of the Court.”
The order also demands that the defendants, including Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta, can only see the materials under the direct supervision of their lawyers. The ruling came days after prosecutors asked that the court order Mr. Trump not to use any evidence as material for social media posts or election campaigns. The former President’s lawyers offered no objection to the judge’s decision.
The court provided specific details on exactly what information cannot be shared. This includes personal identifiable information, investigative techniques, information relating to witnesses not already in the public domain, and any relevant information on electronic devices or online accounts. Violation of the order will amount to contempt of court.
A similar decree was issued in New York, where Donald Trump also faces criminal charges for falsifying documents. Those charges relate to a hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged affair with Mr. Trump – a claim he denies.
The former President appeared in a Miami courthouse on June 13 to plead not guilty to his second criminal indictment. He is facing 37 separate counts, including willful retention of classified documents and obstructing justice. He denies wrongdoing in both cases and on all counts.
