Judge Aileen Cannon has set the agenda for the upcoming Tuesday hearings in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. The hearings are expected to delve into crucial aspects of the case, including closed-door sessions and public challenges to evidence.
11 a.m. ET: Closed-Door Hearing
The day will kick off with a closed-door, confidential hearing involving defense lawyers and the special counsel’s office. This session will focus on sealed matters, particularly secret grand jury information related to the case.
1 p.m. ET: Public Hearing
Following the closed-door session, a public hearing is scheduled for Trump and his co-defendants to challenge the evidence presented in the classified documents indictment. Of particular interest will be Trump's alleged efforts to dismiss evidence seized during the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago in 2022, which includes boxes of classified records that Trump is accused of mishandling and obstructing authorities from recovering post his presidency. It is important to note that Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The afternoon hearing will also address the testimony and evidence gathered from Trump’s former lawyers, which played a significant role in building the obstruction case against him. Trump's legal team is aiming to persuade Judge Cannon that certain interactions between Trump and his then-primary attorney, Evan Corcoran, before the Mar-a-Lago search should not be admissible in the case. This argument stems from a previous ruling by a Washington, DC-based judge who ordered the attorneys to provide specific information to the grand jury before Trump was formally charged.
Overall, the Tuesday hearings promise to shed light on critical aspects of the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, offering insights into the legal strategies and challenges faced by all parties involved.
