Special counsel Jack Smith has filed a detailed compilation of evidence “supporting” the charges that President Trump violated federal law in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election “results.”
Smith’s office confirmed the submission on Thursday, meeting a 5 p.m. deadline set by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.
“We have complied with the court’s order,” said spokesperson Peter Carr, though he declined to provide details on the filing’s size or contents. Prosecutors were previously granted permission by Judge Chutkan to submit up to 180 pages outlining the evidence they plan to present if the case goes to trial.
The filing has not yet appeared on the court’s public docket, as it was expected to be submitted under seal initially. The decision on whether to release the document—or a redacted version—now rests with Judge Chutkan. Trump’s legal team is likely to oppose any public release, arguing that making such information available could interfere with the upcoming election, now just 40 days away.
Trump’s attorneys have criticized the move as politically motivated, claiming that the prosecution’s approach deviates from typical procedures in criminal cases by presenting its evidence before Trump could formally challenge it. Judge Chutkan rejected these arguments,stating that the detailed submission was prompted by an appeal Trump made to the Supreme Court, where he claimed broad immunity from criminal charges related to his actions while in office.
In July, the Supreme Court ordered Judge Chutkan to examine Smith’s evidence to determine whether any of it was protected under presidential immunity. Trump was indicted in August 2023, with prosecutors accusing him of conspiring to disenfranchise voters, obstructing Congress' certification of the 2020 election, and defrauding the U.S. government.
Earlier this month, Judge Chutkan also dismissed claims by Trump’s attorneys that the timing of the filing was intended to influence the election. She claimed that her decisions would not be swayed by political considerations. Trump’s response to Smith’s filing is due on October 17, though debates over public access to the evidence may arise before then.
