President Joe Biden's Justice Department is still targeting co-defendants in Donald Trump's classified documents case, even though it has closed its case against the president-elect.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal indictments against Trump, on Tuesday requested that the case be dismissed “only against Trump.”
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
The Florida lawsuit accused President Trump of mishandling classified documents after he led the raid on his Mar-a-Lago mansion, but Judge Eileen Cannon of the Southern District of Florida previously ruled , had been dismissed in the summer. Cannon ruled that Smith's appointment was unconstitutional because it circumvented Congress.
Mr. Smith subsequently moved to appeal the ruling, but withdrew some of his requests after Mr. Trump secured the presidency. Mr. Smith continues to appeal his case against Mr. Trump's co-defendants, longtime aide Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira.
Mr. Nauta faces eight criminal charges, while Mr. de Oliveira is charged with four. The president-elect had been indicted on 38 counts before the case against Trump was dropped.
“Unlike Trump, the appeals for the other two defendants will continue because they This is because the principle of temporary immunity does not apply.
In a separate filing, Smith said Cannon's decision to dismiss the lawsuit over his appointment was “flawed in analysis.”
“The Supreme Court held more than 50 years ago that Congress gave the attorney general the authority to appoint special prosecutors, such as the Special Counsel,” Smith argued.
John Irving, de Oliveira's lawyer, said: new york post He said Smith's decision to pursue charges against Mar-a-Lago employees was “poor judgment.”
“The special counsel's decision to proceed with this case even after dismissing the case against President Trump is a deserved tribute to the poor judgment that led to the indictment of Mr. de Oliveira in the first place,” Irving said. said. “Just because you can doesn't mean you should. If they want a slow acquittal, that's fine with us.”
Nauta's attorney did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
Mr. Smith has reportedly already wasted at least $50 million in taxpayer funds pursuing lawsuits against Mr. Trump and his allies.
President Trump promised to fire Smith “within two seconds” of taking office. Sources also told The New York Times that Smith plans to wrap up his case and retire by Inauguration Day.
A spokesperson for Smith's office said in a statement to the Post that as the office closes, its duties and ongoing matters may be transferred to “other parts of the Department of Justice and the FBI.” I explained that there is.
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