Regarding "lol," the joke may be on Trump.
Judge Cannon appointed U.S. Federal judge Raymond Dearie to serve as special master. Dearie was one of two names submitted by Trump for this role. While DOJ submitted two names of their own, they later agreed that Dearie was acceptable. With both parties agreeing on Dearie, Cannon appointed him. Some commentators have expressed delight over the Dearie pick since Dearie was has history with the FISA warrant episode mentioned above.
With Dearie moving at surprising clarity and speed, seemingly determined to get his special master work done ASAP, the Trump legal team is now openly fighting Dearie, their very own special master pick.
1. Dearie has asked the Trump lawyers to provide evidence that the documents with classified markings seized at Mar-a-Lago were in fact declassified by Trump. Continuing to avoid that crucial question, the Trump team is refusing to comply with Dearie's request. (Source).
2. Regarding the pace of work, Special Master Dearie himself is suggesting it can all be completed by Oct 4. The Trump legal team is quibbling about that fast pace, saying "“We respectfully suggest that all of the deadlines can be extended to allow for a more realistic and complete assessment of the areas of disagreement.” (Source)
3. "Trump’s team also raised concerns about Dearie’s request for information about whether any subsequent Fourth Amendment litigation filed by Trump to reclaim the documents should be filed with the magistrate judge who authorized the search in the first place." (Source)
Regarding Dearie's proposed plan and requirement that Trump "... disclose specific information regarding declassification to the Court and to the Government." Dearie has scheduled a hearing to take place at a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET (Source).
I'm surprised by the authority U.S. Federal Court Judge Dearie is exercising in this. I thought (apparently incorrectly) that the special master was primarily a clerical role in which he would review the documents in question and share his findings in Judge Cannon's court. Dearie's actions suggest something quite different. He has ordered (not invited, ordered) both parties to appear, not at a meeting, but in his court; and not for a discussion, but for a hearing; and not in Washington or Florida, but in New York, where Dearie's court is located.
Also, Dearie is not asking the DOJ and Trump to agree on a special master work plan. He is putting his own plan forward and asking the two parties to comment on it. It seems he will consider that feedback, and then will finalize HIS plan and to proceed as HE deems fit.
Given Dearie's actions so far, it seems the reputation he has for being a "no nonsense" judge is well deserved. The Politico headline is apt;
"Trump discovers he's not in Cannon-land anymore"
Finally, picking up on the lol theme expressed by the OP, Judge Cannon ordered Trump to pay 100% of the special master costs.
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