Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:20 PM Aug 2022

WHO decides what the SPECIAL MASTER can remove from the DOJ case?

The courts?

If the Special Master can say "these docs are his and you cant have them, you cant use them in a case against him" WHO decides WHICH docs those are and are not?

57 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
WHO decides what the SPECIAL MASTER can remove from the DOJ case? (Original Post) Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 OP
I guess the Special Master decides, but the DoJ can appeal the decision Poiuyt Aug 2022 #1
I want to know will the SM have an appropriate security clearance TexLaProgressive Aug 2022 #2
Doesn't matter: 1 doc belonging to NARA is enough, and... Justice matters. Aug 2022 #3
I don't know for sure, but I think the SM will determine if there are privileged documents... Thomas Hurt Aug 2022 #4
If the SM is MAGA, if the MAGA judge is the one who appoints, then this is Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #6
SM is supposed to be a neutral third party (wink, wink) Thomas Hurt Aug 2022 #13
There is no attorney-client privilege gab13by13 Aug 2022 #18
Probably, but that won't stop the Pig and his pet judge from playing games, she already is. Thomas Hurt Aug 2022 #37
I believe the DOD /fbi has the say. FloridaBlues Aug 2022 #5
Would LOVE to see proof of that! Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #8
There are volumes of DoD GP6971 Aug 2022 #25
Surely; master can't remove anything elleng Aug 2022 #9
Unless a judge says so...I bet. But that is why I am asking. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #12
I wonder if a special master will amount to much... brush Aug 2022 #7
Or, SM could say ALL of it is his, even though that is ludicrous, and they would have to Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #10
I don't know about that. He stole the docs and... brush Aug 2022 #16
There is no such thing for classified documents. SheltieLover Aug 2022 #11
OK...So I can relax, if you are saying NO COURT can change that... Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #14
Sorry, no idea. SheltieLover Aug 2022 #19
Thanks, my mind goes directly to what is the most absurd thing they could do. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #23
As I understand it, the judge's statement was an invitation to doj & tfg's lawyers to submit reasons SheltieLover Aug 2022 #32
The judge DECIDED before even hearing from DOJ...that is the news. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #35
Oh? SheltieLover Aug 2022 #43
... Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #45
..."and said it was her "preliminary intent" to appoint a special master in the case. " SheltieLover Aug 2022 #48
+1 Jarqui Aug 2022 #15
Let's assume the maga judge who is doing something that is NEVER done, deciding after Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #17
The documents belong to the government, all of them, gab13by13 Aug 2022 #24
You are using common sense, truth, precedent, etc to make this statement. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #27
OK how about this answer? gab13by13 Aug 2022 #34
OK great. I will hope so. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #36
I don't think so SheltieLover Aug 2022 #39
DoJ can appeal Jarqui Aug 2022 #41
Sounds encouraging...thanks. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #44
I haven't seen that name in a while (your handle) Jarqui Aug 2022 #47
Thanks Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #56
Ty! SheltieLover Aug 2022 #46
Here's more on this Jarqui Aug 2022 #49
Is 'special master' something archaic? babylonsister Aug 2022 #20
Now that you mention it. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #21
A special master can be used in cases gab13by13 Aug 2022 #28
Unless a court SAYS those docs are those things, as absurd as that would be...or not? Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #30
Yes, even if those 3 things don't apply, gab13by13 Aug 2022 #38
It was used in the Michael Cohen case, the Rudy Giuliani investigation, the Veritas investigation onenote Aug 2022 #51
I'm uneasy about this new trick of his. He took government papers Deuxcents Aug 2022 #22
Not worried that he is weaseling out of this ESPIONAGE 1 bit. Brainfodder Aug 2022 #26
It's about delaying everything, gab13by13 Aug 2022 #29
Yep, delay until they have the power to impeach everyone. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #31
Yup, hoping the 200+ arrests are all same day. Brainfodder Aug 2022 #33
Time to start adding 4 more SC justices. gab13by13 Aug 2022 #40
That Master's special... so fuckin' special.... Blue Owl Aug 2022 #42
if she approves that, she taints her career. mopinko Aug 2022 #50
Too much concern about this WarGamer Aug 2022 #52
Is it just me, rownesheck Aug 2022 #53
Trump only wants the special master because it delays everything. Kablooie Aug 2022 #54
The part people have to grasp is the red state officials who are going to refuse to certify Eliot Rosewater Aug 2022 #57
I have a suggestion as to who should be the special master LetMyPeopleVote Aug 2022 #55

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
4. I don't know for sure, but I think the SM will determine if there are privileged documents...
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:24 PM
Aug 2022

write a report to the judge and the judge issues an order.

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
13. SM is supposed to be a neutral third party (wink, wink)
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:28 PM
Aug 2022

if it isn't someone the Pig knows is a magat he will screeching about as soon their name is released.

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
37. Probably, but that won't stop the Pig and his pet judge from playing games, she already is.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:53 PM
Aug 2022

She should have made him file proper complaints and serve the DOJ. She is already bending over backwards to give him fodder for his scams if nothing else.

GP6971

(31,159 posts)
25. There are volumes of DoD
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:44 PM
Aug 2022

regulations and procedures concerning the handling and storage of classified documents. I'm sure they will take precedent (or I least I hope so).

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
12. Unless a judge says so...I bet. But that is why I am asking.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:28 PM
Aug 2022

lets remember, hundreds of judges who are not really judges, like this one, are in our courts now

brush

(53,778 posts)
7. I wonder if a special master will amount to much...
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:26 PM
Aug 2022

since the FBI/DOJ has the docs back. All trump will get back, as per the Presidential Records Act, will be any personal effects like his passports, newspapers, magazines or greasy Big Mac wrappers he left in boxes as her browed through them to see which ones he could sell.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
10. Or, SM could say ALL of it is his, even though that is ludicrous, and they would have to
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:27 PM
Aug 2022

return it and NO CASE could be brought!

We are dealing with MAGA, that is why I am asking.


NOTHING is off the table with them.

brush

(53,778 posts)
16. I don't know about that. He stole the docs and...
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:35 PM
Aug 2022

smuggled them to Florida. Giving him back top secret/sci and even higher classification, himint docs...I don't think so. They belong to the government, not him.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
14. OK...So I can relax, if you are saying NO COURT can change that...
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:30 PM
Aug 2022

That is why I am asking.

Because we DO AGREE that as INSANE as it would be YES OF COURSE a maga judge would UNCLASSIFY docs if it meant protecting him.

If no court including the SC can change classification of a document, then justice might be done.

IS THAT THE CASE?

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
19. Sorry, no idea.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:40 PM
Aug 2022

I'm not a lawyer but I readin another thread that there is no such thing for such highly classified documents.

Makes sense really.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
23. Thanks, my mind goes directly to what is the most absurd thing they could do.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:42 PM
Aug 2022

Like in this case a judge deciding before hearing from both sides.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
32. As I understand it, the judge's statement was an invitation to doj & tfg's lawyers to submit reasons
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:49 PM
Aug 2022

Against and for, respectively, SM to be allowed.

Why a judge tfg appointed would be allowed onthis case is way beyond reason imo.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
48. ..."and said it was her "preliminary intent" to appoint a special master in the case. "
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 10:04 PM
Aug 2022

Not a done deal, not by a long shot.

Jarqui

(10,125 posts)
15. +1
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:32 PM
Aug 2022

It would have to be a very special master - an experienced lawyer or judge with top level of security clearance.

That's why the FBI used a filter team, designed for such an occasion, independent of the investigation, on the documents from outset.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
17. Let's assume the maga judge who is doing something that is NEVER done, deciding after
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:38 PM
Aug 2022

hearing from only one side, appoints a maga SM...then what happens to the docs?

The real question is can any court DEclassify the docs, say they ALL belong to him, etc? Not would any court do that, let's hold off on that for a while. Can they?

gab13by13

(21,345 posts)
24. The documents belong to the government, all of them,
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:43 PM
Aug 2022

whether they are classified or not.

If Trump left his Hustler magazines with or Big Uns magazines with the government documents, he can have those magazines returned to him.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
27. You are using common sense, truth, precedent, etc to make this statement.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:45 PM
Aug 2022

MAGA judges dont care about any of that.

So my question still stands, if a court wanted to, could they deem the docs HIS?

IDK the answer.

gab13by13

(21,345 posts)
34. OK how about this answer?
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:51 PM
Aug 2022

No. That answer I heard from numerous experts on the TV. As a matter of fact, if Trump wrote notes on classified documents he broke the law by altering government documents. I heard that from experts on TV.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
39. I don't think so
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:54 PM
Aug 2022

Some of the documents are said to be so sensitive they cannog even be put on a list.

I've also read that nobody, not even a president, can declassify these documents.

I know what you are saying, because pootin's playbook calls for the utterly ridiculous & delay after delay, but I don't think it will be allowed.

Jarqui

(10,125 posts)
41. DoJ can appeal
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:56 PM
Aug 2022

That Maga either has to have top level security clearance or they're not going to see all the documents.

I can't imagine a circumstance where a court could declassify a document. Maybe they could request a second opinion on the classification? Even then ... I have doubts. Probably have to move it to a court set up to deal with classified material.

Part of the problem is that Trump was lax on procedures. A bunch of his documents that were not marked classified because of lax procedures should have been and will be as they get reviewed.

That happened with Hillary's emails. Only 3 were classified when they were sent or received. 110 emails got classified after the fact.

The reality is they probably scooped thousand of pages of classified documents between the 15 boxes Trump originally sent and the 45 boxes or collections they got with the search warrant.

Magistrate judge Reinhart probably cannot see this case through a trial. Something will change if it progresses in the courts.

It will probably get moved if Trump doesn't cop a plea ..
https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/Classified-Case-Guidelines-Final-Version.pdf

Jarqui

(10,125 posts)
49. Here's more on this
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:09 PM
Aug 2022



Brandon Van Grack
@BVanGrack
That leads DOJ and Intelligence Community to look for Goldilocks docs—not so sensitive that the Intel Community would prohibit disclosure to defense counsel/jury and not so bland that they don’t appear to implicate national security. 11/
9:13 AM · Aug 28, 2022·Twitter Web App

(for more check out the thread)



emptywheel
@emptywheel
Apparently DOJ calls those "just right" docs that can be declassified for prosecution and that capture the gravity of the compromise w/o doing more damage "Goldilocks" docs.

The classification review Avril Haines confirmed Friday may include discussion of this.

12:36 PM · Aug 28, 2022·TweetDeck

babylonsister

(171,066 posts)
20. Is 'special master' something archaic?
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:41 PM
Aug 2022

I never heard this term until recently. How was 'special master' ever used prior to now?

And fwiw, I hate it.

gab13by13

(21,345 posts)
28. A special master can be used in cases
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:46 PM
Aug 2022

involving attorney-client privilege or in cases of executive privilege or in cases where there is an enormous volume of documents or computer files. None of those cases I cited apply here.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
30. Unless a court SAYS those docs are those things, as absurd as that would be...or not?
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:48 PM
Aug 2022

Our system of justice is unraveling when you have a SC just sitting there waiting to destroy it.

gab13by13

(21,345 posts)
38. Yes, even if those 3 things don't apply,
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:53 PM
Aug 2022

judge Cannon can appoint a SM because of the former president being involved making it a very serious case.

onenote

(42,703 posts)
51. It was used in the Michael Cohen case, the Rudy Giuliani investigation, the Veritas investigation
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:16 PM
Aug 2022

it's not that unusual in cases where a search warrant may sweep up documents protected by attorney client privilege (such as a search of the office of an attorney, like Cohen).

Not sure if it has ever been used in a case where the review is aimed at whether the documents enjoy executive privilege (and documents implicating national security almost certainly do not enjoy that protection).

Deuxcents

(16,221 posts)
22. I'm uneasy about this new trick of his. He took government papers
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 09:42 PM
Aug 2022

That don’t belong to him or any one person. Why does he get to have a special master if the law is that specific.

mopinko

(70,107 posts)
50. if she approves that, she taints her career.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:10 PM
Aug 2022

she was just appointed, and if she does him a favor, she'll never live it down.

WarGamer

(12,444 posts)
52. Too much concern about this
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:16 PM
Aug 2022

If the Judge decides to do this...

It will be some respected person with a nice pedigree, not a politician.

They will simply decide what was proper and improper to seize and what must be returned and or struck from the legal record.

Maybe NOTHING was seized improperly?

rownesheck

(2,343 posts)
53. Is it just me,
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:30 PM
Aug 2022

or does that title "special master" sound really stupid?

Also, I have never heard of a special master until that orange bastard mentioned it a couple weeks ago.

Kablooie

(18,634 posts)
54. Trump only wants the special master because it delays everything.
Sun Aug 28, 2022, 11:40 PM
Aug 2022

He intends to keep throwing up roadblocks until he’s president again.
The infuriating thing is the DOJ always agrees to his delays. They always let Trump control the situation and they are doing oit again.

Don’t count on Trump being taken down anytime in our lifetimes.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,112 posts)
57. The part people have to grasp is the red state officials who are going to refuse to certify
Mon Aug 29, 2022, 02:38 PM
Aug 2022

elections.

Then it goes to a court system packed with moscow mitch sycophants including the SC....

Traitor himself is hoping the courts will do what the cons want and if they dont, he will tell his followers to attack. Then we have to wonder how many in the police and military are patriots and how many support mr. traitor.

NONE Of this can happen if the non MAGA repubs leave the party and make a lot of noise about it when they do.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»WHO decides what the SPEC...