Article Summary
Donald Trump’s lawyers have requested a federal judge to approve the re-establishment of an ultra-secure facility at his Mar-a-Lago club to review classified documents produced to him in discovery. Trump has been charged with illegally retaining classified documents, including US nuclear secrets. The decision to re-establish a sensitive compartmented information facility at Mar-a-Lago would be unprecedented. Trump’s lawyers argue that Trump’s schedule and security requirements make it impossible for him to regularly visit such a facility at a courthouse. The request is part of ongoing negotiations between Trump and prosecutors over the use of what gets turned over in discovery.
Trump’s Lawyers Request Classified Document Review Facility at Mar-a-Lago
Lawyers representing Donald Trump have asked a federal judge to approve the re-establishment of a secure facility at Mar-a-Lago to review classified documents related to his case, an unprecedented request in national security cases.
Essentially, this would give Trump the ability to review the same classified documents he’s been charged with illegally retaining in the same location where the alleged crimes occurred.
Trump’s lawyers have proposed the re-establishment of a sensitive compartmented information facility, or “Scif”, at Mar-a-Lago in an 11-page filing. They argue that Trump’s schedule and security needs make it impractical for him to make regular trips to such a facility at a courthouse.
The initial Scif at Mar-a-Lago, established during Trump’s presidency, was removed after his term ended in 2021. The reconstruction of a Scif for a private citizen because of their previous office role would be without precedent.
This latest twist in the negotiation between Trump and the office of special counsel Jack Smith concerns the protective order governing the use of discovery materials. Trump is charged with retaining national security materials, including US nuclear secrets and retaliation plans in case of an attack. His case will adhere to the steps outlined in the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA).
Trump’s lawyers may challenge the protective order and request that Trump himself have extended access to the classified discovery materials. Last month, Trump requested to review the classified discovery materials himself, which prosecutors agreed to.
A remaining point of contention, according to a recent filing by prosecutors, is where Trump will be allowed to review these materials.
Trump has requested permission to discuss the classified documents with his lawyers at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, and at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Prosecutors, however, have objected to this request, noting that it’s inconsistent with the law and unprecedented for defendants to discuss classified information in a private residence.
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