Special Poll
- U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has agreed to unseal additional documents from special counsel Jack Smith’s case regarding election interference by former President Trump. Trump’s legal team signaled they plan to challenge this move.
- Chutkan’s decision allows for the unsealing of exhibits attached to Smith’s 180-page brief. This brief argues that, despite a Supreme Court decision granting former presidents broad criminal immunity, the case against Trump can proceed.
- Special counsel Jack Smith contends that Trump’s actions following the 2020 election were not presidential duties but rather the unlawful behavior of a private citizen.
- The court approved the release of redacted versions of evidence, which may include grand jury transcripts, texts, and other materials gathered by prosecutors.
- Chutkan dismissed Trump’s objections to the unsealing, noting that concerns about political consequences are not legally valid reasons for preventing the disclosure of evidence.
- Trump’s legal team opposed the unsealing, arguing that further disclosures should not be made during early voting for the 2024 election. They claim the evidence has been selectively presented and misrepresented.
- Despite Chutkan’s ruling, she allowed a seven-day delay to give Trump’s legal team time to consider appealing or challenging the decision.
- Trump’s legal team has already been granted until November 7, just after the election, to file a response to Smith’s brief, making their argument for why the charges should be dropped based on the Supreme Court’s decision.
- It remains uncertain what new information may emerge from the unsealed documents, but Smith’s brief reportedly includes new evidence, such as notes taken by then-Vice President Mike Pence during conversations with Trump.