Judge Orders Trump's Lawyers: Do Not Release Documents Related to Classified Records Investigation

A federal judge in Florida, USA, has ordered the defense lawyers of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, not to disclose documents related to the investigation into classified records to the media or the public. According to Reuters, the ruling by Judge Bruce Reinhart on Monday also set strict conditions for Trump's access to these documents. The judge's order states that the discovered documents, along with any information obtained from them, must not be disclosed to the public or news media without prior knowledge and consent of the federal government or court approval, nor published on any news platforms or social media. He also specified that Donald Trump 'should not retain a copy of these documents' and can only review the contents of the case 'under the direct supervision of his defense attorney or a member of his legal team.' This ruling agrees with a request made by the prosecution last week, asking the court to set conditions for Trump's legal team’s use of the documents. Donald Trump, who is leading among candidates for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, faced federal charges earlier this month. He is accused of unlawfully retaining classified government documents after leaving the White House and then conspiring to obstruct the federal investigation into this matter. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 37 counts brought against him by the prosecution. On Monday, in an interview with Fox News, he defended his actions, stating that some personal items such as golf shirts, pants, and shoes were also in these boxes. Trump added, 'Before I return the boxes, I have to take all my things out. These boxes were filled with all sorts of things. As you can see, I was very busy.' He reiterated his claim that these boxes contained magazine articles, personal items, and artwork. However, the Department of Justice tells the court that the boxes contained highly classified documents, including plans for an attack on Iran. The former President also faces other legal hurdles, as the New York prosecutor has charged him in connection with payments to a porn star. Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by Merrick Garland, the U.S. Attorney General, is also investigating Trump's possible role in actions related to his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, which led to the attack by his supporters on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump is going to court to face the charge of 'retaining classified documents.' He announced his summons to federal court; 'seven charges' are pending. A federal jury in New York found Trump liable in a 'sexual assault case.' Trump's deputy testified about him in a federal court.