Jack Smith seeks public release of filing in Trump election case with redacted witness names

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Special counsel Jack Smith has requested a public version of a significant brief in the ongoing case against former President Donald Trump, concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith's Friday filing aims to make the document available to the public while redacting witness names, except for former Vice President Mike Pence, and other sensitive information.

The move follows a sealed brief Smith submitted Thursday, arguing that presidential immunity should not apply to Trump’s actions related to alleged election interference. Smith emphasized the importance of public access to substantive information in the case, even if witness identities are withheld.

In a statement from Friday’s filing, Smith noted that “the unredacted substance of what a witness said is more important...than the redacted identity of the specific person who said it.”

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to a "criminal scheme" to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 victory, is facing legal scrutiny as U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered his defense team to submit objections to the proposed redactions by next Tuesday. A response from the prosecution is expected by October 10.

If approved, the public filing would include key details from witnesses, grand jury testimony, and search warrants, albeit with many names concealed.