U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon denied a request from federal prosecutors to restrict Donald Trump's speech about law enforcement, criticizing the motion for lacking professional courtesy and proper consultation with Trump's attorneys. The request was made after Trump claimed the DOJ authorized the FBI to shoot him, which prosecutors argued endangered FBI agents. Cannon's denial allows prosecutors to refile the motion if they address her concerns.
A federal judge temporarily denied prosecutors' request to bar former President Donald Trump from making statements that could endanger FBI agents, citing procedural grounds. The judge criticized the special prosecutor for not properly informing Trump's defense team but left open the possibility for prosecutors to try again.
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon denied dismissal motions by Donald Trump’s co-defendants, ruling that federal prosecutors had met the legal threshold for obstruction charges in the classified document case. The co-defendants had argued lack of evidence and knowledge of ongoing investigation, but the judge stated that such arguments could be made at trial. The prosecutors claim that the co-defendants misled investigators and plotted to delete security footage to prevent officials from retrieving the boxes from Trump’s property. Cannon also rejected requests for a bill of particulars, stating that the indictment is detailed enough.
Judge Aileen M. Cannon denied dismissal motions by Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, co-defendants of former President Donald J. Trump, in the classified documents case. The men are accused of conspiring with Trump to hide classified materials and destroying security camera footage of the boxes being moved. Their lawyers argued that the men were unaware of the contents of the boxes and needed more evidence details, while also raising a claim that the obstruction statute was unconstitutionally vague.
U.S. District Court Judge Aileen M. Cannon rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss charges of mishandling classified documents by claiming protection under the Presidential Records Act, defending her handling of the issue and pushing back against special counsel Jack Smith's challenge. The judge's decision comes after a back-and-forth with prosecutors and defense lawyers over proposed jury instructions, with Cannon emphasizing that her request was not a final declaration but an attempt to understand the parties' positions in the upcoming trial.
Judge Aileen M. Cannon has yet to set a trial date in the complex case accusing Donald J. Trump of mishandling classified materials, sparking concerns about her decision-making. The delay in setting a trial date, along with other unresolved issues on her docket, has raised questions about her handling of the case. Additionally, her recent order for dueling jury instructions and her interest in jury issues before deciding on the trial start date have added to the confusion and concern surrounding her decisions.
Judge Aileen M. Cannon has instructed lawyers to file proposed jury instructions related to defense motions in Donald Trump's classified-documents case, suggesting an openness to some of the defense’s claims regarding the Presidential Records Act. The judge's focus on jury instructions indicates she is already thinking ahead to a trial of the former president. Trump's lawyers have fought to delay the trial, claiming politically motivated prosecution, while the judge has not yet ruled on when the trial will be held.
Prosecutors in the criminal case against former President Donald J. Trump have requested a federal judge to protect the identities of several witnesses, citing the potential for threats, harassment, and intimidation. This move comes after Trump's legal team sought permission to name some witnesses in court papers, a request that was initially granted by Judge Aileen M. Cannon. The prosecutors' request reflects growing frustration with the judge, and comes just before a scheduled meeting to discuss a request by Trump's lawyers to access a secret government filing related to classified discovery evidence in the case.
A federal judge, Aileen M. Cannon, has postponed the decision on whether to delay the trial of former President Donald J. Trump on charges of illegally holding classified national security secrets until at least March. While the trial's timing remains unresolved, the judge acknowledged the complexities of the case and pushed back several pretrial motion deadlines, particularly those involving classified materials. Trump's legal team has sought to postpone the trial until after the 2024 election, while federal prosecutors have urged the judge to stick to the current trial date of May 20. The judge expressed concern about potential scheduling conflicts with Trump's other federal trial and the challenges posed by handling sensitive materials.
