The special counsel’s investigation into Donald Trump continues to run along two tracks—the fact that prosecutors are pushing back against Mike Pence’s delaying tactics in the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election does not mean that there isn’t an active probe into Trump’s classified document hoard at Mar-a-Lago. CNN reports that “at least two dozen” people tied to Mar-a-Lago have been subpoenaed to testify to a federal grand jury.
That includes Mar-a-Lago staff like a housekeeper and restaurant servers, as well as Trump political aides like Margo Martin, who was a press assistant in the White House and then stayed with Trump as he relocated to Florida after leaving office. The prosecutors, led by special counsel Jack Smith, are “casting an extremely wide net—anyone and everyone who might have seen something,” an unnamed source told CNN.
One of the Mar-a-Lago staffers subpoenaed definitely saw the boxes of documents—they were on security footage along with former White House valet Walt Nauta moving boxes from a storage room. Others could have seen boxes or documents in the course of their regular duties at the resort.
“Many of the Mar-a-Lago staffers are being represented by counsel paid for by Trump entities, according to sources and federal elections records,” CNN reports. While it would be financially devastating for a housekeeper or restaurant server to have to pay for legal counsel in an investigation like this, it’s concerning—for them as much as for anyone—to have them represented by lawyers paid by Trump.
When she was questioned by the Jan. 6 committee, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson was initially represented by a lawyer paid by Trump’s PAC. After she changed lawyers and became more forthcoming with investigators, Hutchinson said that her Trump-funded lawyer had pressured her to “focus on protecting the president.” That is the worry for these Mar-a-Lago staff, that the lawyers they’re being provided are acting in the best interest of Donald Trump rather than a Mar-a-Lago housekeeper or server.
The special counsel also continues to try to compel testimony from Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran, using the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. Corcoran was the attorney who turned over 30 classified documents to the FBI in June 2022 and then reportedly drafted the statement claiming that a “diligent search” of Mar-a-Lago had been conducted and that no more classified documents had been found. A judge’s decision on whether Corcoran has to answer questions could come any day now.
On the other track of the special counsel’s investigation, in addition to the press to get Pence’s testimony, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have been subpoenaed, as has former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. And Donald Trump faces other investigations, with indictments expected from Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in that state. The investigation into hush money payments to Stormy Daniels has also revived in New York, with Trump reportedly invited to testify, signaling that indictments could be coming. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing his business, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr. for $250 million related to fraudulent business practices.
Suffice it to say, Trump has plenty to be nervous about, legally speaking.
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.
