Judge in Trump's classified documents case denies gag order request

• Smith called Trump's statements "intentionally false and inflammatory" and said they could "expose those agents, some of whom will be witnesses at trial, to the risk of threats, violence, and harassment."
• The claims were so egregious they prompted the FBI to release a statement stressing that agents followed standard protocol throughout the search.

Driving the news: Cannon denied Smith's request through a paperless order on Tuesday.

• The judge said the request was denied because prosecutors failed to confer with defense before filing it, saying that move was "wholly lacking in substance and professional courtesy."
• "It should go without saying that meaningful conferral is not a perfunctory exercise," she wrote.
• Trump's lawyers had asked Cannon to deny the special counsel's request. In a court filing, they accused prosecutors of "bad-faith behavior" for filing the request before a before a holiday weekend.
• Cannon denied the special counsel request without prejudice, meaning Smith may submit it again.

The big picture: Cannon, whom Trump appointed to the federal bench, has faced mounting scrutiny throughout the case.

• Some legal experts, including former Trump administration lawyers, have questioned her competency and impartiality.
• Earlier this month, Cannon postponed the trial in the case indefinitely, citing a glut of pretrial motions. Her decision means it is unlikely that the federal case will go to trial before the November election.

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