Appeals Court Orders Trump Lawyer to Turn Over Documents in Investigation into Retention of Classified Documents at Mar-a-Lago

A federal appeals court has ordered a lawyer for former President Donald Trump to turn over documents to prosecutors in the investigation into the former president’s retention of classified documents at his Florida estate.

The Justice Department has convinced a federal judge that Trump used one of his defense attorneys in furtherance of a crime or fraud related to the existence of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. The finding was part of a major ruling Friday from Judge Beryl Howell of the DC District Court.

The evidence would likely be significant in the obstruction probe being pursued by special counsel Jack Smith’s team. The order is reflected in a brief notice by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The details appear to correspond with a closed-door fight before a lower court judge over whether M. Evan Corcoran could be forced to provide documents or give grand jury testimony in the Justice Department special counsel probe into whether Trump mishandled top-secret information at Mar-a-Lago.

The ruling from the appeals court makes clear that the Justice Department has evidence that Trump may have committed a crime. It also underscores how prosecutors were able to overcome Trump’s right to shield discussions with his lawyers normally protected under attorney-client privilege.

The appeals court ruling is the latest development in the ongoing investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. It is unclear what the documents will reveal or how they will affect the investigation.