In a recent case involving ex-president Donald Trump, lawyers John Lauro and Todd Blanche filed a motion demanding the court to hold Special Counsel Jack Smith and his deputies Molly Gaston and Thomas Windom in contempt of court. They argued that, as the case is currently under appeal, the prosecutors should not be adhering to discovery deadlines by filing pretrial motions or turning over discoveries.
The lawyers, representing Trump, accused the prosecutors of using the case as a means to harass the previous president and prevent his likely victory in the 2024 Presidential Election. They criticized the prosecution for using the case to propagate certain political messages from the Biden campaign.
The response from the Special Counsel was brief and devoid of grandstanding, advising the plaintiff’s lawyers to cease their excessive litigation.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over the case, declined to impose contempt sanctions on the prosecution for filing motions. In her ruling, Judge Chutkan stated that “The Stay Order did not clearly and unambiguously prohibit the Government actions to which Defendant objects,” and noted that “merely receiving discovery or an exhibit list” can’t be considered a “meaningful burden” on the previous president and his lawyers.
However, Judge Chutkan did agree that the special counsel’s motion filed on December 27 does impose some burden on defense counsel, as it requires them to conduct a “preliminary review of each substantive motion.” It was suggested that the prosecution team should refrain from filing further motions without first seeking permission from the court.
Meanwhile, the appeal case of Trump continues at the DC Circuit. Recent developments suggest that Trump’s case may soon return to the trial court.
US v. Trump [District Docket via Court Listener]
US v. Trump [Circuit Docket via Court Listener]