In a significant development, special counsel Jack Smith has submitted a trove of never-before-seen evidence against Donald Trump in the election subversion case, including interview transcripts from key witnesses such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump.
This evidence is now with federal court, where District Judge Tanya Chutkan will decide what can be made public.
The filings, submitted under seal, aim to provide a comprehensive view of Smith’s allegations that Trump conspired to defraud the United States in his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Included in the documents are grand jury transcripts and FBI interview notes, crucial for the prosecution as they navigate a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
The case will focus on Trump’s actions leading up to the January 6 Capitol attack, particularly his pressure campaign on Pence, which may invoke questions of immunity. Prosecutors plan to submit a version of their filing with proposed redactions that could later be made public. Chutkan’s approval for a lengthy brief, quadrupling the usual page limit, signals the depth of evidence presented.
Trump’s legal team has opposed the timing of these filings, comparing them to reports typically released after a special counsel’s investigation concludes.
With a response due on October 17, the ultimate outcome could redefine the legal landscape surrounding presidential powers and accountability.
