In the case involving the former president’s management of classified documents discovered at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Special Counsel Jack Smith has secured an early victory against former President Donald Trump.

A federal judge granted Smith’s request for a protective order to prevent Trump from disclosing sensitive information in his case involving classified documents.

“Smith sought the order to ensure that neither Trump nor codefendant Walt Nauta, Trump’s presidential valet, disclose sensitive information obtained during the discovery process, where prosecutors will show the defense what evidence it has amassed during their investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents since leaving office,” ABC News reported.

The protective order stated that Trump and Nauta “shall not disclose the Discovery Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than those employed to assist the defense, persons who are being interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and other persons to whom the court may authorize disclosure.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart ordered the defense team to “not disclose the Discovery Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than those employed to assist the defense, persons who are interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and other persons to whom the Court may authorize disclosure.”

“A knowing violation of this Order by Defendants, Defense Counsel, and Authorized Persons may result in contempt of court or other civil or criminal sanctions,” the order warned.

A former criminal defense counsel for Trump argued last week that the investigation into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents might not even proceed to trial.

During an interview on Fox News, Timothy Parlatore, who served as Trump’s criminal defense attorney until last month, spoke with host Laura Ingraham about Trump’s arraignment in Miami on Tuesday. Smith, who was appointed by Biden’s Department of Justice, brought the case against Trump.

Trump entered his “not guilty” plea in federal court. Trump, President Joe Biden’s chief opponent in next year’s presidential election, could face decades in prison if proven guilty on all charges.

Parlatore argued that there are fundamental faults in the case, specifically regarding the grand jury process and violations of attorney-client privilege. Parlatore stated that he believes this could result in the dismissal of the entire case.

Trump’s attorneys should “attack the conduct of the entire investigation and demonstrate through death by a thousand cuts why this entire investigation is irreparably tainted by government misconduct,” according to Parlatore. “The case should be dismissed or, at the very least, the prosecutor should be disqualified,” he added.

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

Last week, a concerning report emerged that Smith may execute a “backup plan” if his case in Florida against Trump does not stick. CONTINUE READING…