Trump kept classified documents in Mar-a-Lago bathroom and ballroom, indictment says

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Stay updated on the latest developments surrounding the indictment of former President Donald Trump, who now faces criminal charges for mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. This historic indictment marks the first time a former president in the United States has been charged with criminal offenses by the federal government he once oversaw. If convicted, Trump could potentially face imprisonment.

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SECRET SERVICE MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRUMP’S COURT APPEARANCE

The U.S. Secret Service is making preparations for Trump’s appearance at a federal court in Miami on Tuesday following the indictment by a grand jury, which charged him with 37 felony counts related to the mishandling of classified documents. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s spokesperson, stated that they would ensure the former president’s safety without seeking any special accommodations beyond what is necessary for the court proceedings. Guglielmi also expressed confidence in the collaboration with law enforcement partners in Florida to meet the required security measures.

During Trump’s arraignment on April 4 in his New York case, where he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, extensive media coverage, protests, increased security screenings, and temporary closure of non-Trump court proceedings were witnessed.

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SPECIAL COUNSEL AFFIRMS THAT LAWS APPLY TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING TRUMP

In the special counsel’s first public statement regarding the charges against Trump, the Justice Department emphasizes that the country adheres to a single set of laws applicable to all individuals. Jack Smith, the special counsel leading the investigation into Trump’s involvement in retaining classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, spoke briefly in Washington, emphasizing the Department of Justice’s commitment to the rule of law as an example for the world. Smith expressed the prosecution’s intention to pursue a swift trial and looked forward to presenting their case. Trump is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday in South Florida.

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Key Points to Note:

— Trump faces multiple inquiries across different states and venues while campaigning for a potential return to the White House.

— Trump’s case is distinct from that of other politicians known to possess classified documents.

— Get to know Jack Smith, the special counsel tasked with investigating Trump’s role in retaining classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

— Despite legal troubles and a competitive GOP field, Trump remains the frontrunner among Republicans for the 2024 presidential race.

— Could the indictment harm Trump’s popularity among voters?

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TRUMP ACCUSED OF STORING CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN UNUSUAL LOCATIONS

According to the indictment, Trump allegedly stored classified documents not only in the bathroom and shower but also in various other locations at his Mar-a-Lago estate. These locations include a ballroom, storeroom, office, and bedroom. Prosecutors highlighted the fact that Mar-a-Lago, being an active social club, had tens of thousands of members and guests visiting between January 2021 (the end of Trump’s presidency) and August 2022 (when the search took place). Despite this, Trump apparently stored the documents in spaces such as the ballroom, bathroom, shower, office, bedroom, and storage room.

The indictment also reveals that for a two-month period, some of Trump’s boxes were stored in one of Mar-a-Lago’s opulent ballrooms. A photograph included in the indictment shows rows of boxes stacked on the stage of the ballroom.

Additionally, the indictment presents images of boxes spilling over in the storage room, including a redacted classified document marked “SECRET/REL TO USA, FVEY.” This designation indicates that the information is releasable only to members of the intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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TRUMP’S ATTORNEY CLAIMS HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DAMAGING DOCUMENTS

The recently unsealed indictment reveals that Trump’s attorney, on June 2, 2022, without knowledge of any records being moved, identified 38 documents marked as “classified.” He placed them in a folder and sealed it with clear duct tape, which was provided by Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet. Subsequently, the valet escorted the attorney to meet with the former president.

During the meeting, Trump allegedly asked about the contents of the folder, inquiring whether anything damaging had been found. The attorney informed federal authorities that he discussed the folder’s contents with Trump and the appropriate handling of the material. The attorney further stated that Trump gestured in a way that implied he wanted any significantly negative information to be identified and removed. However, the attorney clarified that Trump did not explicitly instruct him to remove anything, aside from making the “plucking motion.”

According to the attorney, he did not remove any documents from the folder. Instead, he immediately contacted the FBI and another Trump attorney. On June 3, the second Trump attorney, acting as the official custodian of records on Trump’s behalf, handed over the materials to the FBI, as stated in the indictment.

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INDICTMENT CLAIMS VALET MOVED BOXES UNDER TRUMP’S DIRECTION

According to the indictment, Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet, allegedly acted under Trump’s direction to relocate approximately 64 boxes of documents from the Mar-a-Lago storage room to the former president’s residence. Nauta’s actions occurred between May 23, 2022, and June 2, 2022, as outlined in the indictment.

Among the boxes allegedly moved were approximately 30 boxes that Nauta purportedly relocated on June 2, the same day Trump’s legal team was expected to review the cache. Prosecutors assert that Nauta engaged in these actions shortly after a brief phone conversation with Trump. Neither Trump nor Nauta disclosed to Trump’s attorneys that any contents of the storage room had been moved, according to the indictment.

Based on the timeline presented by the prosecution, Trump subsequently met with one of his attorneys later that day, and Nauta accompanied the attorney to the storage room for the document review.

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TRUMP ACCUSED OF SHOWING CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS TO OTHERS

The indictment, unsealed on Friday, provides details of two instances where Trump allegedly showed classified documents to other individuals.

The first incident occurred during a meeting with a writer at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Trump reportedly discussed federal officials’ “plan of attack” against him and acknowledged that he knew the information was still classified.

The second incident involved a meeting with a representative from his political action committee. During this meeting, Trump reportedly displayed a classified map related to a military operation. He acknowledged that he should not be showing it to the representative and advised them to maintain some distance.

Interestingly, the indictment points out that, during a press conference while serving as president in 2017, Trump addressed media leaks and condemned the illegal process of leaking classified information. He stated that those involved should be ashamed of themselves.

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TRUMP FACES 37 FELONY CHARGES

The indictment accuses Trump of facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents. It also alleges that he disclosed a Pentagon “plan of attack” and shared a classified map connected to a military operation.

This document officially confirms the Justice Department’s criminal case against Trump, arising from the retention of numerous documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Walt Nauta, a Trump aide seen on surveillance footage removing boxes at Mar-a-Lago, is charged alongside Trump.

The indictment suggests that Trump improperly removed numerous boxes from the White House, transporting them to Mar-a-Lago, with many of them containing classified information.

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INDICTMENT ALLEGES TRUMP SHARED CLASSIFIED MAP AND PENTAGON “PLAN OF ATTACK”

The recently unsealed indictment states that Trump disclosed a Pentagon “plan of attack” and shared a classified map related to a military operation.

This indictment, marking the first official confirmation of a criminal case against Trump in relation to the retention of hundreds of documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, was made public by the Justice Department.

According to the indictment, Trump revealed the existence of the charges in a post on Truth Social and a video message he recorded.

Prosecutors claim that Trump removed numerous boxes from the White House without proper authorization, transporting them to Mar-a-Lago. Many of these boxes contained classified information.

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BIDEN REFRAINS FROM COMMENTING ON TRUMP’S INDICTMENT; PENCE SUPPORTS TRUMP’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

President Joe Biden has chosen not to comment on Trump’s indictment and states that he has not discussed the matter with Attorney General Merrick Garland. The White House appears to avoid discussing the political implications of the case.

During a visit to North Carolina, Biden, in response to questions about Garland following the unsealing of Trump’s indictment, stated, “I have not spoken to him at all. I’m not gonna speak to him.” When pressed further, Biden maintained that he had no comment on the situation.

Trump currently leads the Republican presidential primary race for the opportunity to challenge Biden, who seeks reelection. Despite the indictment, one of Trump’s rivals, Mike Pence, believes that Trump should continue his campaign and rejects the idea of him suspending it. Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president, expressed that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that Trump has the right to defend himself.

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More about Trump indictment

• CNN: Trump Indicted on Charges of Mishandling Classified Documents
• The New York Times: Former President Trump Faces Criminal Charges for Handling Classified Documents
• Department of Justice: Official Statement on Trump’s Indictment
• Washington Post: Analysis of Trump’s Legal Troubles and Political Implications
• Reuters: Timeline of Trump’s Mishandling of Classified Documents