John Lauro, Trump’s attorney, hinted at potential trial arguments, suggesting that while Trump might have technically violated the Constitution, he didn’t break any criminal laws. The hearing primarily centered on a protective order that prosecutors requested. They wanted to set guidelines on what information Trump or his lawyers could publicly share before the government releases discovery materials.
Lauro highlighted the unique nature of a case involving a former president, who is also a current presidential candidate, being prosecuted by the administration of his likely general election opponent, President Joe Biden. He argued that the proposed protective order would benefit Biden’s campaign by stifling Trump’s political speech. Judge Chutkan dismissed this political angle, emphasizing the criminal nature of the trial.
The trial is still several months away, with the special counsel’s team proposing a start date just after the new year. They are prepared to hand over 11.6 million pages of discovery in their initial production. Judge Chutkan concluded the hearing by warning Trump’s team to be cautious about their public statements regarding the case.
