Woyem News 
The first hearing in the criminal case against Donald Trump related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election was held in Washington, DC, on Friday. The case, brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, follows a grand jury investigation into the allegations against the former president. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case, ruled that some evidence provided in discovery may be made public as long as it is not considered “sensitive” by the government. She rejected more restrictive language, stating that Trump’s conduct with regard to non-sensitive discovery is still governed by his release conditions and other court rules. Trump is also restricted in how he can view “sensitive” documents. Judge Chutkan warned that if Trump’s public statements were deemed to be influencing the jury pool, there would be a greater urgency to proceed with the trial quickly. She emphasized that she would take any necessary measures to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings. Prosecutors have requested a four-to-six-week trial beginning on January 2, 2024.
Meanwhile, on Truth Social, Trump criticized Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is expected to indict him for election interference in the Atlanta, Georgia area in 2020. Trump attacked Willis’s professional record, claiming that Atlanta is one of the deadliest communities in the US with gang members roaming the streets. He accused Willis of using the potential indictment as a “campaign and fundraising CON JOB.” Trump also commented on the appointment of David Weiss as special counsel in the Justice Department’s investigation of Hunter Biden, suggesting he would have preferred “Deranged Jack Smith” for the role. Trump claimed that Weiss had been investigating Hunter for four years and received a favorable deal. He expressed his desire for a new judge and jurisdiction for his own case, implying that he had stronger reasons than Hunter and Joe Biden.
Former prosecutor Renato Mariotti has suggested that Jack Smith, the special counsel leading the case against Trump, is using insights gained from his past experience at the Hague to bring justice to the former president for his role in the 2020 election efforts. Additionally, two conservative law professors have argued that Section Three of the 14th Amendment may disqualify Trump from a White House return. Section Three prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the US from holding public office. These developments raise questions about Trump’s eligibility if he chooses to run for president again.
