A key lawyer representing Donald Trump in the Justice Department’s special counsel investigation into the handling of classified documents has resigned, citing strategic disagreements with a top advisor to the former president.
Timothy Parlatore, who played a significant role in Trump’s defense concerning the potential mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, revealed on Saturday that his departure was due to obstacles created by individuals within Trump’s inner circle. In a CNN interview, Parlatore pointed to Boris Epshteyn, another lawyer and senior advisor to Trump involved in multiple criminal investigations, as a central figure who made defending the former president “much harder than it needed to be.”
Parlatore, who officially resigned on Wednesday, directly accused Epshteyn of actively hindering the legal team’s efforts. He stated Epshteyn was “doing everything he could to try to block us to prevent us from doing what we could to defend the president,” highlighting a deep rift within Trump’s legal strategy as special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation intensifies and nears a critical decision on potential charges against Trump. Parlatore’s comments shed light on the internal dynamics and potential turmoil within Trump’s defense team at a crucial juncture.
Responding to Parlatore’s accusations, a spokesperson for Trump dismissed the claims, stating, “Mr. Parlatore is no longer a member of the legal team. His statements regarding current members of the legal team are unfounded and categorically false.” This denial underscores the sensitivity and potential damage caused by Parlatore’s public airing of internal disputes.
In the CNN interview, Parlatore elaborated on the nature of Epshteyn’s interference, explaining that Epshteyn acted as a “filter,” obstructing the flow of crucial information between the legal team and Trump. This alleged gatekeeping, according to Parlatore, hampered the team’s ability to effectively strategize and defend the former president.
Parlatore also revealed that Epshteyn had opposed the legal team’s proposal to conduct a search for additional classified documents at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey property months prior. This resistance, Parlatore argued, undermined a proactive defense strategy. Furthermore, he claimed Epshteyn impeded efforts to implement a defense strategy aimed at “educating” Attorney General Merrick Garland on the nuances of the case. Parlatore was instrumental in drafting a letter to the House intelligence committee last month, outlining potential defenses in the ongoing investigation, indicating his proactive approach and strategic thinking.
“It’s difficult enough fighting against DOJ, and in this case a special counsel, but when you also have people within the tent that are also trying to undermine you, block you and really make it so that I can’t do what I know that I need to do as a lawyer,” Parlatore stated, emphasizing the untenable position he felt he was placed in.
“And when I am getting into fights like that, that’s detracting from what is necessary to defend the client and ultimately was not in the client’s best interest, so I made the decision to withdraw,” Parlatore concluded, framing his resignation as a necessary step to prioritize Trump’s best interests, even if it meant leaving the legal team.
Parlatore’s departure and his public statements expose significant internal disagreements within Trump’s legal team as they navigate the complex and high-stakes classified documents investigation. The exit of a key lawyer at this juncture raises questions about the cohesiveness and effectiveness of Trump’s defense strategy moving forward, particularly as the special counsel investigation intensifies and potential charges loom.
