Judge holds first hearing since delaying Trump classified documents trial and criticizing special counsel

As the Manhattan hush money case against Donald Trump nears its conclusion, a new phase of pretrial activity begins Wednesday in the federal classified documents prosecution the former president is facing in Florida.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon will hear arguments from defense attorneys on two separate bids to throw out charges in the case. In the first motion, Trump’s valet and co-defendant Walt Nauta alleges he is being vindictively prosecuted, and in the second, Trump and his co-defendants argue the indictment suffers technical flaws requiring its dismissal.

Trump is accused by special counsel Jack Smith of taking classified national defense documents from the White House after he left office and of resisting the government’s attempts to retrieve the materials. Trump, Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira have all pleaded not guilty.

Trump has obtained permission from the judge to skip Wednesday’s proceedings, which will start at 10 a.m. ET in the Fort Pierce, Florida, courthouse.