I am Laura Cotes and this is CNN Tonight.

Federal prosecutors taking aim directly at Donald Trump's own words and deeds.

The proof, the aggressive court fights they're gearing up for and who might be trying to hide

behind privilege.

So for those of you who thought that all the privilege issues had been resolved, think

again.

CNN has exclusive reporting tonight.

The DOJ is prepping for a kind of constitutional showdown over whether there is in fact

any applicable privilege that could possibly shield the former president or any of his

former officials.

About what?

Their communications with him when he was the president.

Now the department, they want to take the muzzle off, of course.

And keep in mind, when two former Pence aides testified to the federal grand jury, there

have been a deal that had already been negotiated in advance to try to steer clear of any of their

direct interactions with Trump.

That happened to be the same approach we've seen used by the House Select Committee.

But the fact that the DOJ is sort of dotting their eyes and crossing their teeth and preparing

for a court battle over a potential executive privilege issue signals that if information

is what you want, the negotiation approach by the lone the muzzle isn't going to cut

it.

Now remember, concerns about privilege are believed to be why they chose not to pursue any

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