CNN
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Lawyers for the former president Donald Trump He met with judicial officials on Monday following a public outcry over what they characterized as prosecutorial misconduct, sources familiar with the matter said.
The meeting comes as the special counsel’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents and possible sanctions nears its final stage.
Although Trump’s team has publicly asked to meet with Attorney General Merrick Garland, he is not believed to be at the meeting.
CBS News First announcing the meeting, he tweeted a picture of one of the lawyers entering the Justice headquarters.
A grand jury is expected to hear testimony this week from another witness in the classified documents trial in federal court in Washington, DC, according to a source.
It was the first sign of activity in a month for the grand jury primarily investigating the classified documents case. A CNN reporter last observed the grand jury meeting on May 5.
Requesting a meeting last month, Trump lawyers John Rowley and James Trusty wrote to Garland in a letter posted on Trump’s social media site, saying, “No president of the United States, in the history of our country, has ever been subjected to such a baseless investigation. outrageous and illegal fashion.”
The DOJ’s documents and the former president’s obstruction investigation are being handled by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Garland last year and is acting independently.
Defense attorneys sometimes meet with prosecutors when an indictment decision is imminent. But sources familiar with the investigations previously told CNN that Smith had not informed Trump’s lawyers that he was close to such a decision.
It remains to be seen whether Smith interviewed Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, who could be a key witness, and it’s unclear when Smith will release his findings in a final report to Garland or rule on any charges.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
