U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered federal prosecutors to search for and disclose information regarding former Vice President Mike Pence's handling of classified documents, which might be relevant in former President Donald Trump's election interference case.

The decision marks a significant turn in the complex legal battles surrounding Trump, especially when set against his broader legal challenges, Star Tribune reported.

The directive from Judge Chutkan comes as Trump faces charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. According to legal records, Chutkan ordered the prosecutors handling the case to examine any relevant documents concerning an investigation into Pence.

Scrutiny on Potential Witness Motives

Trump's defense team posited that information from the Pence investigation might uncover motives influencing Pence's testimony. His attorneys suggested that Pence, while under scrutiny for retaining classified documents, could have been motivated to implicate Trump.

Chutkan recognized the relevance of these motives. She wrote that Trump "is correct" in asserting that a witness's motives for implicating him could be crucial.

Prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team asserted they were not involved in the examination of Pence's documents. They maintained they had no additional information aside from publicly available reports.

Judge Addresses Scope of Trump's Requests

Even as she ordered the search for information related to Pence, Judge Chutkan also dismissed a wide array of disclosure requests from Trump. Requests deemed irrelevant included documents addressing the 2020 election, the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and evaluations of international interference in the 2016 election.

Chutkan deemed understanding foreign forces' impacts on the 2020 election unnecessary for the current case. In another notable aspect of the ruling, she determined that defense attorneys could use the alleged prior conduct of a witness to challenge their credibility.

Limited Evidence on Jan. 6 to Be Provided

Although the judge rejected many of Trump's requests, she approved limited disclosures. This includes details on security measures related to Jan. 6 discussed with military officials and certain reviewed information by a former intelligence director.

Pence appeared before a grand jury earlier this year, following the rejection of Trump's executive privilege claim. By mid-2023, Pence was informed he would not face charges over the discovery of classified materials.

Potential Impact of Supreme Court Opinion

Legal experts suggest this case might be affected by a Supreme Court opinion issued in July, granting broad immunity to former presidents. This opinion could influence the trial's timeline and the extent of claims considered.

Judge Chutkan remains responsible for determining which prosecution claims will be allowed in the trial. These decisions might be subject to appeals, adding another layer of complexity to the judicial proceedings.

Re-Election Could Alter Justice Department's Stance

Observers note that if Trump were to win the presidency again, his attorney general might take action to dismiss the case. This potential shift underscores the tumultuous nature of the legal landscape confronting Trump.