Jack Smith informs Judge Cannon of Trump's 'egregious' exposure of potential witnesses

Special counsel Jack Smith asked U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon to seal or redact the names of witnesses in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump.

In a 23-page filing on Wednesday, Smith said Trump's legal team disagreed with most of the proposed redactions.

"The redactions the Government is requesting for the motions are minimal," the documents said. "Many of the exhibits require more extensive redactions or complete sealing. Much of the information the Government seeks to protect would reveal the identities of potential witnesses and key portions of the testimony they would provide."

"Last, there is a subset of documents Trump seeks to use that are part of a grand jury proceeding that remains under seal in the District of Columbia. For all of this information, good cause exists to keep it outside the public realm," Smith continued.

The special counsel suggested Trump's actions could threaten witnesses.

"The Government has detailed elsewhere the types of threats and harassment individuals linked to this case have faced," Smith explained. "Despite knowing this, the defendants insist on naming all witnesses and appear to have no concerns about whether any of these individuals will be put at risk. While the defendants take no responsibility for the safety and security of witnesses, the Government and the Court are obligated to do so."

The filing pointed to one "egregious" example.

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"The most egregious instance of exposing witnesses to potential harm occurs on page 4 of Trump's Motion to Dismiss for Prosecutorial Misconduct. There, Trump makes the totally unfounded and false claim that, beginning on President Biden's inauguration day, the former Archivist and a longtime career civil servant (and potential Government witness) began "to conspire" to ensure a criminal investigation into Trump's missing records ensued. Naming this witness on the public docket in connection with Trump's baseless allegations would recklessly expose the witness to harm, and for no reason."

Smith listed dozens of exhibits that he said should be sealed or redacted in the classified documents case.