In a recent development, former President Trump's request for contempt charges against Special Counsel Jack Smith has been criticized by Smith himself. Denouncing the effort as a mere rehashing of old allegations, Smith expressed his disappointment in the filing.

The contempt claim was filed by Trump's attorneys on Thursday, citing a dispute over the actions taken by Judge Tanya Chutkan, who had paused activity in the case. The legal team argued that all activity, including new filings, should have been halted due to the stay in the case.

In response, federal prosecutors vehemently denied the allegations, stating that they had not intentionally violated any court orders. They emphasized that the claims of partisanship and prosecutorial misconduct made by the defendant were baseless and without foundation.

Last month, Judge Chutkan paused Trump's criminal election interference case while a higher court considers an appeal regarding his immunity from charges. In their Friday court filing, prosecutors argued that because Trump is not obligated to respond to any of the new motions or case activity, their actions do not violate the stay.

The prosecutors further explained that their aim was to keep the potential trial on track if Trump's appeal is unsuccessful. They clarified that their actions, such as filing motions and providing discovery evidence, were meant to ensure the trial's readiness for the scheduled date of March 4.

The ongoing legal battle between Trump and the special counsel continues to grab headlines as both sides fiercely assert their stances. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the contempt charges and the appeal will influence the ultimate outcome.

It is important to note that these developments are based solely on the information provided in the court filing and subsequent responses. As the legal proceedings unfold, further updates and developments are expected to shed more light on this contentious matter.