Trump’s Mar-a-Lago co-defendants blocked from accessing classified documents they allegedly hid

The federal judge presiding over Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago case has sided with special counsel Jack Smith to resolve a key issue surrounding his co-defendants’ access to the classified documents that they are accused of hiding.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Mr Trump appointee, has rejected attempts from the former president’s co-defendants – longtime aide Walt Nauta and property employee Carlos De Oliveira – to view the classified records in question as they prepare for trial.

Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveira sought to review the records to prepare their trial defences against obstruction charges for allegedly helping the former president unlawfully conceal documents after he left the White House.

The judge’s decision on Tuesday – which follows several closed-door hearings to review evidence to prepare for trial, including hearings that Mr Trump himself attended – comes days before a hearing to set a trial schedule for Mr Trump, who is preparing for three other criminal trials in three other jurisdictions, among a further mountain of litigation against him as he seeks the Republican nomination for president.

On Friday, the court will discuss scheduling and other issues in the case, which has been tentatively scheduled to begin in May.

In her order, Judge Cannon stated that the prosecutors with the special counsel “made a sufficient showing” in arguments that a review of classified documents from Mr Nauta and Mr De Oliveira would not be “relevant and helpful” to their defense, citing filings from Mr Smith’s office.

The men are charged with making false statements, conspiracy to obstruct justice and corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating, or concealing documents, among other charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

Donal