A federal judge overseeing the election interference case against former President Donald Trump has directed prosecutors to search for and provide any Justice Department information related to a separate investigation into former Vice President Mike Pence's handling of classified documents. Trump's lawyers argued that this information could be relevant to their defense, suggesting that Pence may have had an incentive to implicate Trump while facing his own investigation.
The special counsel's team stated they had no involvement in the Pence investigation beyond what has been publicly reported. However, the judge ordered them to search for any additional records on the investigation, noting that evidence of a witness's uncharged conduct could impact their credibility.
While the judge granted some requests for information, such as details on Pence's investigation, she rejected other categories of information sought by Trump's lawyers. This included documents related to the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, as well as intelligence assessments on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The judge emphasized that information about foreign entities influencing the 2020 election was not relevant to the current case. Pence, who appeared before a grand jury investigating Trump, was informed he would not face criminal charges related to the classified documents found in his home.
Prosecutors were directed to provide details on security measures at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and information reviewed by a former director of national intelligence. The case's future remains uncertain following a Supreme Court opinion granting broad immunity to former presidents and narrowing the allegations against Trump.
The judge will determine which claims against Trump can proceed, likely leading to further appeals. If Trump is elected, his new attorney general may seek the dismissal of the case.
