Trump's Legal Troubles Mount as Judge and Special Counsel Challenge Election Fraud Claims

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has ordered former President Donald Trump to declare whether he intends to use an advice-of-counsel defense in his election interference case. This could potentially require Trump to hand over his private messages with lawyers to prosecutors. Prosecutors argued that waiting until the eve of trial to raise this defense could cause disruption and delay. If Trump chooses to use the defense, he must provide notice by January 15, 2024, and hand over all relevant documents to prosecutors. Trump's lawyers have previously stated that he relied on advice from attorney John Eastman.