Court Orders DOJ to Release Records on Coordination wiht Fulton County DA in Trump Election Case
A federal judge has ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release communications related to potential coordination between Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump. This ruling marks a important victory for Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group that has been aggressively pursuing these records through a Freedom of Facts Act (FOIA) lawsuit.
The core of the dispute centered on the DOJ’s invocation of the “Glomar doctrine,” a legal principle allowing agencies to withhold information when it’s disclosure could harm national security or ongoing investigations. However, U.S. district judge Friedrich resolute this justification no longer holds water.
Why the Ruling Matters
The judge’s Jan. 28 order explicitly stated that with the termination of Smith’s criminal enforcement actions – and, crucially, the shifting landscape following Smith’s own resignation – the risk of jeopardizing a case has evaporated. As Friedrich wrote, the cases are “closed” and therefore disclosure “may not interfere” with any proceedings.
This means the DOJ must now process Judicial Watch’s FOIA request and either release the requested records or demonstrate a valid exemption to disclosure,one that hasn’t already been waived. You can view the embedded court document What Records Where Sought?
Judicial Watch specifically sought communications between Smith’s office and Willis’s office concerning: Requests for or receipt of federal funds or assistance related to the Trump investigation. The group alleges potential collusion between the federal and local prosecutors, a claim the DOJ has consistently denied. However, their efforts to obtain supporting documentation have been met with repeated delays. This isn’t the first time Willis has faced scrutiny regarding openness in this case. A Georgia judge previously ordered her to turn over communications with Smith to Judicial Watch. Furthermore, Willis was required to pay approximately $20,000 to cover Judicial Watch’s legal fees. The stalling tactics employed by the DOJ and Willis’s office have drawn sharp criticism. Judicial Watch President Tom fitton expressed outrage, stating, “President Trump truly needs to overhaul the Justice Department from top to bottom. It is a scandal that a federal court had to order the Justice Department to admit the truth that their objections to producing records about collusion with Fani Willis had no basis in reality.” Trump’s team is actively reviewing cases brought by the Biden Justice Department against both the former and current president. The release of these documents could provide valuable insight into the coordination – or lack thereof – between federal and local authorities. While the contents of the communications remain unknown, the court’s decision represents a significant step toward greater transparency. it underscores the importance of accountability within the Justice Department and reinforces the public’s right to access information regarding high-profile investigations. Stay informed: For the latest political news and analysis, visit Washington Secrets. Disclaimer: this article provides information based on publicly available sources and legal documents. It is not intended as legal advice.
Any other communications between the two offices.A History of Obstruction & Legal Fees
implications for Trump & Future Investigations
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