Shouting match erupts at classified documents hearing as Trump and allies try to dismiss charges

A hearing in Donald Trump’s classified documents case devolved into a chaotic shouting match as lawyers fought over claims of a threat allegedly made to a defense attorney.

The hearing on Wednesday morning had been scheduled for Walt Nauta, Mr Trump’s co-defendant and valet, to share arguments that the office of special counsel Jack Smith had vindictively and selectively charged him with offenses.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Mr Trump, did not issue a ruling, according to CNN.

The hearing was quickly taken over by a disagreement over an August 2022 meeting including prosecutor Jay Bratt and Stanley Woodward, Mr Nauta’s defense attorney, who claimed in court and legal filings that Mr Bratt tried to convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the prosecution against Mr Trump by threatening to affect the possible nomination of a judgeship.

Mr Nauta argues that he was charged for not cooperating with the Department of Justice and its probe into Mr Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified files.

“I had been recommended for a judgeship, that’s beyond dispute,” Mr Woodward said on Wednesday, CNN reported.

“There was a folder about defense counsel on the table” during the meeting, he claimed, adding that Mr Bratt referenced the judgeship. “I think the implication was that I was to travel and convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the investigation, and if I didn’t that, there would be consequences.”

“Mr Woodward’s story of what happened at that meeting is a fantasy,” prosecutor David Harbach said, banging the lectern. “It did not happen.”

“This is a lawyer whose allegations amount basically to him being extorted,” he added as he waved his arms, before being told by Judge Cannon to “calm down”.

Judge Cannon was set to hear