Jack Smith hits back at Trump team's 'baseless accusations' in new classified docs filing

Special Counsel Jack Smith is arguing with Donald Trump's lawyers over the timeline to convene a jury in the Florida classified documents case, The Messenger reported on Thursday.

Smith's team filed a brief saying they are working towards a May 20, 2024, trial in Fort Pierce, Florida and a Feb. 2 deadline to submit a jury questionnaire. But Trump's lawyers say the May 20 goal is premature since they are still in the midst of preparations that may change questions they want the jury to be asked.

Smith's team argued that the Trump legal team's filing was "long on rhetoric and baseless accusations that do not merit a response."

Also read: Trump camp plots how to use Colorado disqualification in campaign attack: report

"When the Government learned of the time necessary to send a questionnaire to prospective jurors, the Government felt it prudent to bring the issue to the Court’s and defendants’ attention through the only appropriate channel available: a motion," Smith counselor Jay Bratt wrote, according to the report.

"More to the point, defendants’ breathless castigation of the Government for suggesting the parties engage on jury questionnaires before resolution of pretrial motions ignores that the same was true in cases the Government cited in its motion," he added, citing two cases from South Florida.

"It is economical and a good use of time to begin the process of drafting a questionnaire now," Bratt wrote.

Read the full report at The Messenger.