‘Obstructions’: Federal Judge Rebukes Jack Smith’s Prosecutor Team For Delaying Separate Jan. 6 Verdict

A federal judge scolded Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutorial team for causing a delay in a Jan. 6 criminal case hearing unrelated to former President Donald Trump’s current indictments, Politico reported Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden grew frustrated when Stanley Woodward, one of the lawyers representing a Jan. 6 protester, arrived 25 minutes late to a verdict regarding accusations of violence towards Capitol Police by Woodward’s client, according to Politico. Woodward wanted to speak with the judge privately about the matter but McFadden demanded an explanation for his tardiness in open court.

Woodward said he had been with another client who was being asked questions by Smith’s prosecutorial team that implicated “executive privilege,” according to Politico. He added that the prosecutors promised him they would stop their questioning in time for him to appear at McFadden’s verdict, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The prosecutors did not stop on time, and Woodward was forced to stay with his client almost a half hour longer than expected. It is unclear which client Woodward was representing in that case, though it was possible it was William Russell, a former Trump aide who was expected to appear on Thursday as well, according to Politico.

Upon hearing Woodward’s explanation, McFadden shifted the blame to Smith’s prosecutors and the Department of Justice, Politico reported. McFadden said he had also been told that Smith’s prosecutor’s grand jury matters would not interfere with his 2 p.m. verdict.

“Talking about obstructions of an official proceeding,” McFadden said. “The government has not acted as I required.”

Smith’s team was not immediately available for comment.