Federal investigators have obtained cell phone records from the White House, including those of former President Donald Trump, in connection with the special counsel’s investigation into the 2020 election. This development, reported by CBS News, suggests an escalation in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team is examining data from Trump’s phone and another phone belonging to Rudy Giuliani, identified as “Individual 1.” A technical expert, referred to as “Expert 3” in legal documents, has analyzed these records, focusing on key details like phone usage and online activities on January 6.
The nature of the data extracted, including phone unlock times and Twitter app usage on Trump’s phone, is particularly relevant to the case. Trump faces four criminal charges related to alleged efforts to obstruct the transfer of presidential power, with Giuliani being one of six unnamed co-conspirators.
Despite pleading not guilty and denouncing the investigation as politically biased, Trump is increasingly under scrutiny for his actions surrounding the 2020 election.
The court filing, responding to a query about expert witnesses for the trial set for March 4, 2024, also mentions two other experts who will analyze digital data related to the January 6 crowd movement.
This investigation follows earlier inquiries into Trump’s phone usage, sparked by gaps in his official White House phone records on the day of the Capitol attack. Questions were raised about the possibility of Trump using unrecorded “burner phones,” leading the National Archives to submit relevant records for investigation.
Simultaneously, the Supreme Court is expediting its review of a critical aspect of the case: whether a sitting president is entirely immune from federal prosecution for actions while in office. This follows a lower court’s rejection of Trump’s claim of presidential immunity.
The Supreme Court’s involvement and the approaching trial date highlight the complexity and high stakes of the legal battles facing Trump.