In response to former President Donald Trump’s management of sensitive documents, US District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled on Monday that special counsel Jack Smith could not submit the names of 84 potential witnesses under seal to prevent them from providing incriminating testimony.
In a brief order, Cannon stated that she was unconvinced that federal prosecutors lacked other options to support keeping the list of potential witnesses secret.
“The Government’s Motion does not explain why filing the list with the Court is necessary; it does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view; it does not explain why partial sealing, redaction, or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory, and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal,” Cannon wrote.
BREAKING: This is why they want to get rid of Judge Aileen Cannon in classified docs case. Her first smackdown of Special Counsel Jack Smith:
"PAPERLESS ORDER denying without prejudice Government's Motion to Implement Special Condition of Release. The Government seeks an order…
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) June 26, 2023
The judge, who was appointed by Trump, stated that other media entities, such as The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Insider, have also resisted concealing the names of potential witnesses. In a previous letter to the court, the news organizations argued that concealing the documents would prevent the public from learning about “a highly significant initial step in this extraordinary prosecution.”
Smith is not only attempting to keep this case under seal from the American people but impose absurd restrictions on the former president and Walt Nauta as to how evidence can be viewed. Cannon denies Smith's demand to prevent Trump and Nauta to communicate with at least 84… pic.twitter.com/AiARrU38KR
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) June 26, 2023
As part of the conditions of his release, Trump is only permitted to communicate with potential witnesses about the case through his attorney. The current incident began when the federal government was instructed to provide Trump and the court with a list of names.
According to the former president’s own counsel, the potential witnesses may include high-ranking officials and those who remain close to him. Waltine Nauta, the co-accused with Trump, is the ex-president’s “body man” and was observed working for him outside the Miami courthouse on the morning of Trump’s arraignment.
In prior investigations involving Trump, Cannon was investigated. It is unknown how Smith’s club will proceed.