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Judge in Trump classified docs case questions government about funding for special counsel
ABC 'News' ^ | 6/24/24 | Katherine Faulders, Peter Charalambous

Posted on 06/24/2024 3:54:55 PM PDT by Libloather

During a two-hour hearing Monday morning, the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's classified documents case pressed government attorneys to provide more information about the funding of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation, at one point remarking that the funding presents a "separation of powers concern."

The hearing, conducted by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, was a continuation of Friday's hearing in which defense attorneys sought to have the documents case dismissed on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel.

Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 40 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials after leaving the White House, after prosecutors said he repeatedly refused to return hundreds of documents containing classified information and took steps to thwart the government's efforts to get the documents back. Trump has denied all charges and denounced the probe as a political witch hunt.

Defense lawyer Emil Bove argued Monday that the funding of the special counsel's office was unconstitutional because it relies on a "permanent indefinite appropriation" that is outside of the normal budget process.

"Is there any cap to the funding?" Judge Cannon asked.

"No, and I think that is part of the reason ... to be very wary of who can access it and why," Bove said. "There is no check on the scope of what's going on here."

As Bove hammered at the constitutionality of the special counsel's office, Smith himself sat just feet away in the courtroom, occasionally jotting down notes during the argument. Smith did not attend Friday's hearing.

While Cannon appeared skeptical of Bove's argument at times -- including accusing him of doing a "flip flop" on his position about the independence of the special counsel's office -- she pressed assistant special counsel James Pearce about the office's budget.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: classified; counsel; funding; gagorder; jacksmith; judgeeileencannon; smith; specialcounsel; trump
I'm pretty sure Jack takes chicom loot as well. Heck, who doesn't?
1 posted on 06/24/2024 3:54:55 PM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather

Libs are saying that the judge is biased. They have no respect for the law.


2 posted on 06/24/2024 3:58:59 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Libloather
shopping-4
3 posted on 06/24/2024 3:59:56 PM PDT by cuz1961
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To: Libloather

They need to issue a gag order on Jack Smith. Look at all the threats the judge is receiving.


4 posted on 06/24/2024 4:00:40 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: cuz1961
shopping-5
5 posted on 06/24/2024 4:00:51 PM PDT by cuz1961
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To: Libloather

If the prosecutor has no standing will the case the thrown out and let the justice department start over? What about evidence gathered?


6 posted on 06/24/2024 4:01:19 PM PDT by Reno89519 (I'll go out on a limb: Trump & Gabbard 2024)
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To: cuz1961
images-14
7 posted on 06/24/2024 4:02:03 PM PDT by cuz1961
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To: Brilliant

Funny how they have plenty of respect for Merchan


8 posted on 06/24/2024 4:03:10 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: Libloather

This is one of a dozen problems with the SC appoinment, but the others [and bigger issues] are ignored by the MSM.


9 posted on 06/24/2024 4:03:43 PM PDT by TonyinLA (I don't have sufficient information to formulate a reasoned opinion said no lefty ever.)
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To: Libloather

Julie Kelly has a better take on it. Jack Smith has spent over $7 million in six months.


10 posted on 06/24/2024 4:03:52 PM PDT by roving (Deplorable Erectionists Listless Vessel )
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To: Libloather

This is what actually happened today via Julie Kelly who was in the court room:

Julie Kelly 🇺🇸
@julie_kelly2

From FLA courthouse: Gag order hearing just ended. Will have details shortly.

Overall, the bad behavior by Jack Smith’s team continues. David Harbach, one of the lead prosecutors, almost got himself tossed out of court this afternoon.

After several minutes of Harbach’s condescending tone—uptalking and slowly speaking as if he were addressing a child—Judge Cannon had had enough.

Cannon: “Mr. Harbach, I don’t appreciate your tone. I expect decorum in my courtroom at all times. If you cannot [act appropriately], one of your colleagues can.”

{Keep in mind there are no electronic devices allowed so I must rely on my scribbled notes but this is very close to what was said.)

He only got marginally better. At the end of his exchange with Cannon, he apologized to her. “I didn’t mean to be unprofessional.”

Ah but he did. He is not just demeaning to her, it’s almost like he’s tempting her to excuse him from the proceedings.

Keep in mind, during the last hearing, Cannon had to ask Harbach to “just calm down” as he was pounding on the podium and have a temper tantrum.


11 posted on 06/24/2024 4:04:55 PM PDT by Macho MAGA Man (The last two wen't balloons. One was a cylindrical objects Trump is being given the Alex Jones tr)
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To: cuz1961
images-40
12 posted on 06/24/2024 4:05:41 PM PDT by cuz1961
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To: Libloather
Did ABC fail to mention 10-15 times in this report that Judge Cannon was appointed by President Trump?

Heads will roll.

13 posted on 06/24/2024 4:05:45 PM PDT by daler
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To: cuz1961
8p3x53
14 posted on 06/24/2024 4:06:13 PM PDT by cuz1961
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