Prosecutors Call for Trump to Be Barred from Accessing Classified Files Due to Statements Endangering Law Enforcement

Federal prosecutors have requested the judge overseeing the classified documents case against Donald Trump to restrict the former president from making public statements that could endanger law enforcement agents involved in the prosecution.

The request to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon comes after Trump falsely claimed earlier in the week that FBI agents who searched his home in August 2022 were authorized to shoot him and were prepared to harm him and his family.

Trump’s claims were based on a court document revealing that the FBI followed standard use-of-force policies during the search, which prohibit deadly force unless there is an imminent danger to the officers or others.

Prosecutors emphasized that the search was conducted when Trump and his family were not present, no force was used, and it was coordinated with the Secret Service.

In their motion, prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith’s team argued that Trump’s false statements mischaracterize the FBI’s intentions and could result in threats, violence, and harassment against the agents involved in the case.

Defense attorneys have objected to the government’s motion.

Attorney General Merrick Garland debunked Trump’s claims, stating that they are false and dangerous, and that the use-of-force policy is a standard procedure during searches.