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Former Prosecutor Charged with Stealing Jack Smith's Trump Report

May 21, 2026

Summary

A former Justice Department prosecutor, Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, has been charged with emailing herself a sealed copy of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the Trump classified documents investigation. She allegedly disguised the file as a 'bundt cake recipe' to evade detection.

How coverage differs

Left outlets highlight a former prosecutor's serious breach of protocol by emailing a sealed Jack Smith report, while right outlets frame it as ‘stealing’ confidential Trump investigation documents, per Kash Patel.

  • Left: Ex-prosecutor's bizarre attempt to steal sealed Trump report exposed Left-leaning outlets emphasize the serious nature of a former Justice Department prosecutor, Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, allegedly sending a sealed Special Counsel Jack Smith report concerning the Trump classified documents investigation to her personal email. They highlight the breach of protocol and the sensitive nature of the information involved.
  • Center: Former prosecutor charged for emailing sealed Trump report, disguised as recipe Center outlets report that a former Justice Department prosecutor, Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, has been charged with emailing herself a sealed copy of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report. They note the report concerned the Trump classified documents investigation and was allegedly disguised as a 'bundt cake recipe' to avoid detection.
  • Right: Kash Patel reveals prosecutor stole confidential Trump investigation documents Right-leaning outlets frame the incident as a 'stealing' of 'confidential' documents from the Jack Smith investigation of Trump, as revealed by Kash Patel. They imply a potential breach of sensitive information related to the ongoing probe into President Trump.

Coverage by lane

Left

  • Ex-DoJ prosecutor charged with sending sealed Jack Smith Trump report to personal email

Center

  • Ex-prosecutor charged with sending to herself copy of Smith report on Trump classified files probe - AP News
  • Former prosecutor charged with emailing herself Jack Smith report, disguising it as cake recipe

Far right

  • Kash Patel Reveals Former Prosecutor Charged with Stealing 'Confidential' Documents of Jack Smith Investigation of Trump

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