It appears that Special Counsel Jack Smith has won the initial battle in his case against former President Donald Trump in his prosecution of the case of the classified documents discovered in Trump’s possession at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

ABC News reported that Smith requested the order prior to the prosecution releasing potentially sensitive information to the defense in preparation for trial.

Trump and his presidential attendant, Walt Nauta, must have access to the evidence supporting the prosecution’s case in order to mount an adequate defense, as required by law.

According to an earlier report from ABC News, Trump was indicted on June 9 for 31 counts of “unauthorized possession and willful retention of national defense documents,” which are Espionage Act-related charges.

The former president is additionally charged with six counts of obstruction of justice and perjury.

“If it had just been the fact that he had this stuff and he turned it over, there would never have been an issue here,” Nick Akerman, a former Watergate prosecutor, told ABC News. “But he had it and he went all out to make sure he kept it.”

Ackerman referred to the indictment as “damning” for the former president.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart ordered the defense team to “not disclose the Discovery Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than those employed to assist the defense, persons who are interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and other persons to whom the Court may authorize disclosure.”

All such materials must remain in the secure custody of the defense attorneys.

Reinhart specifically ordered that neither Trump nor Nauta may take possession of any documents disclosed to the defense during the discovery phase, or even make notes about them, unless defense counsel also retains the notes.

The decree appeared to prohibit the former president from disclosing information directly to the public via social media.

“A knowing violation of this Order by Defendants, Defense Counsel, and Authorized Persons may result in contempt of court or other civil or criminal sanctions,” the order warned.

You can read the judge’s entire order here:

Reinharts Trump Protective … by The Western Journal

ABC News reported at the time that a similar order was issued on May 8 in the case against Trump involving alleged criminal falsification of business documents to cover up allegations of an affair with pornographic performer Stormy Daniels.

In both cases, Trump has denied any malfeasance.