Federal prosecutors have raised concerns over the judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's classified documents case in Florida. The prosecutors criticized the judge for considering potential jury instructions that they argue are based on a 'fundamentally flawed legal premise.'
The judge, in an unusual move, requested proposed jury instructions from both the prosecution and defense lawyers for most of the charges in the case. This request came despite uncertainty surrounding the trial date. The case revolves around Trump's possession of sensitive documents, with the defense arguing that he was entitled to retain them under the Presidential Records Act.
However, prosecutors contend that the law, which allows former presidents to keep personal records but not classified ones, is irrelevant in this case. They assert that the documents in question were not personal and that there is no evidence Trump designated them as such.
The prosecution team expressed frustration with the judge's handling of the case, noting delays in ruling on defense motions to dismiss. The trial date remains uncertain, raising the possibility that the case may not be resolved before the upcoming presidential election.
Prosecutors urged the judge to reject the defense's argument that the Presidential Records Act justified Trump's retention of the documents. They emphasized that the law should not play a role in the trial, particularly concerning charges related to the illegal retention of national defense information.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for 2024, faces multiple felony counts in the Florida case, including allegations of mishandling classified documents. The indictment accuses him of improperly sharing sensitive military information. This case is one of four criminal proceedings against the former president, who maintains his innocence in all of them.
