Politico reported Thursday that a federal judge reprimanded special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution team for delaying a January 6 criminal trial unrelated to the current indictment of former President Donald Trump.
U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden was reportedly frustrated that Stanley Woodward, one of the attorneys representing the Jan. 6 protesters, arrived 25 minutes late for a verdict on Woodward’s client’s charges of violence against Capitol Police. Politico. Woodward wanted to speak privately with the judge about the matter, but McFadden demanded an explanation for his tardiness in open court.
Mr. Woodward said he was with another client who was being questioned by Mr. Smith’s prosecution team about “executive privilege,” Politico reported. He added that prosecutors had promised to stop the investigation before McFadden’s sentencing, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday.
Special Counsel Jack Smith speaks about the indictment of former President Trump on June 9. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The prosecution did not stop on time, forcing Woodward to stay with his client nearly half an hour longer than expected. It’s unclear which client Woodward represented in the case, but Politico said it could be former Trump aide William Russell, who was expected to appear in court on Thursday. (Related: CNN anchor furious over Jack Smith eating Subway sandwich after Trump report)
After listening to Woodward’s explanation, McFadden shifted the blame to Smith’s prosecutors and the Justice Department, Politico reported. McFadden said he was also told that Smith’s prosecutor’s grand jury issue would not affect the 2 p.m. verdict.
“We’re talking about obstructing official process,” McFadden said. “The government did not act as I requested.”
Smith’s team could not be reached for comment.
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