"Raskin, who had been investigating Trump for keeping dozens of classified documents at his Palm Beach home and social club, was alarmed by what he saw as a huge gamble. In Florida, the case could wind up before U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, a Trump-appointed jurist who had already temporarily blocked federal agents from reviewing sensitive records seized from Trump's club during the investigation."
"But the story goes on to explain how even Smith was operating under the delusion that the old norms and rules still applied. Smith and his top deputies had concluded that trying the case in Florida put them on firmer legal ground, reducing the risk of the most serious charges being overturned on appeal. And members of their team had initially calculated that there was just a 1 in 6 chance that a case in Florida would land in Cannon's courtroom."
Federal prosecutors expected the classified-documents case to be filed in Washington, D.C., but special counsel Jack Smith chose to bring the case in Florida. David Raskin reacted with alarm, calling the decision insane, because Florida risked assignment to Judge Aileen M. Cannon, who had earlier limited investigators' access to seized records. Prosecutors believed Florida could offer firmer legal footing and reduce appellate risk for the most serious charges. Team members initially estimated only a one-in-six chance the case would reach Cannon's courtroom. Smith told Justice Department officials he was not worried about venue risks.
Read at www.esquire.com
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