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A recent court hearing related to Donald Trump’s classified documents case turned tumultuous, with a notable dispute between lawyers over alleged threats made to a defense attorney. The proceeding, designated for Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet and co-defendant, to present arguments against what they claim are vindictive charges by Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office, was overshadowed by a confrontation about a 2022 meeting. During this meeting, prosecutor Jay Bratt is accused of intimidating Nauta’s lawyer, Stanley Woodward, with potential repercussions on a judgeship nomination to coerce Nauta into cooperating against Trump. The hearing, presided over by Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, did not conclude with a ruling. Amidst the legal back-and-forth, Prosecutor David Harbach refuted Woodward’s allegations as “fantasy,” leading to a dramatic moment in court when he was asked by Judge Cannon to “calm down.”
Judge Cannon also addressed another motion to dismiss charges in this high-profile case, which involves accusations against Trump for unlawfully retaining national defense information and attempting to obstruct justice. Trump’s trial, initially set to begin this week, has been indefinitely postponed by Judge Cannon. Trump, who did not attend the Wednesday proceedings, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which detail his alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence and efforts to obstruct their retrieval by authorities.
The delay in trial proceedings, amidst several unsuccessful attempts by Trump’s legal team to dismiss the charges, casts uncertainty on whether the case will be resolved before the upcoming election. Trump, also facing legal challenges in New York, Washington, DC, and Georgia related to various allegations, including attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, aims to have all federal charges dropped should he win the election.