Judge Refuses Co-defendants of Trump Access to Classified Documents

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon supported Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith on Wednesday by denying co-defendants access to classified documents held at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

The Independent reported that Cannon, appointed by Trump, ruled against Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, co-defendants in a 42-count indictment delivered by Smith last year. They all pleaded not guilty.

The co-defendants requested access to the classified materials for their defense. However, after several private hearings, Cannon sided with prosecutors, determining that reviewing the classified documents would not benefit their defense.

This ruling comes before a court session to schedule a trial date for Trump, who faces multiple legal challenges as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

Cannon has not yet made a decision on a similar request from Trump’s attorneys to review classified material, which Smith’s office argues should be protected for national security reasons.