Judge protects witnesses in Trump trial

The former president was indicted by special counsel Jack Smith for mishandling classified government documents after leaving office and obstructing an investigation. He has denied all charges. According to Reuters, Judge Cannon had previously agreed to release the witness information for transparency reasons. However, prosecutor Smith asked the judge to reconsider the decision because it would expose the witness's information, putting them at risk of harassment and intimidation from Mr. Trump and his supporters.

Under the new ruling, witness information in case files will be redacted and they will be referred to by pseudonyms. Mr. Trump has repeatedly attacked judges, prosecutors and witnesses in four criminal cases against him. In two of those cases, judges have ordered defendants to refrain from commenting outside the courtroom about those involved.

In addition to the Florida case, Mr. Trump is also charged with falsifying records to conceal payments to an adult film actress in exchange for her silence about their relationship before the 2016 presidential election. He also faces charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when his supporters blocked the certification of Mr. Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election two months earlier.