Trump has to keep his mouth shut about the evidence turned over in his classified documents case, judge rules
Chip Somodevilla
- On Friday, prosecutors on Donald Trump's classified documents case asked that discovery materials be kept confidential.
- Federal Judge Bruce Reinhart signed off on the request.
- A protective order on discovery materials is standard, and Trump's lawyers did not object to the request.
A federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump, his co-defendant Walt Nauta, and their defense attorneys cannot publicly discuss evidence they receive as part of the discovery process in his classified documents case.
Last week, prosecutors asked the court to institute a protective order on the discovery materials — seeking that evidence prosecutors turn over to defense in preparation for a potential trial be kept confidential.
Prosecutors noted in the filing that "the materials also include information pertaining to ongoing investigations, the disclosure of which could compromise those investigations and identify uncharged individuals."
Federal Judge Bruce Reinhart — who also signed off on the search warrant that the FBI conducted at Trump's home at Mar-a-Lago last year — approved the request Monday.
"The Discovery Materials, along with any information derived therefrom, shall not be disclosed to the public or the news media," Reinhart's order reads.
It also can't be disseminated on social media, the ruling said
It goes on to say that anyone who violates this order — including by Trump — could be in big trouble.
"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 says.
Requesting a protective order on discovery evidence is standard practice in federal cases.
Lawyers for Trump and Nauta did not object to the motion, prosecutors said last week.
Reinhart's ruling only covers "non-classified" discovery, as both Trump and Nauta are still building their legal teams, and not all of their current attorneys have the security clearance to see classified information.
Trump and Nauta pleaded not guilty on June 13 to 37 charges alleging that the former president — with the help of his bag man — kept sensitive classified records after leaving office.