Donald Trump Indicted on Multiple Charges in connection with Classified Documents at Mar-a-Lago
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on seven counts in connection with an investigation into classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. Sources familiar with the matter informed CNN of the grand jury’s decision, making Trump the first former president to be indicted twice to face federal criminal charges.
Trump Reacts to Indictment on Truth Social
Trump responded to the news by publishing on the social media platform Truth Social that his lawyers had informed him of the accusation. He also alleged that the current president, Joe Biden, also possesses boxes of classified documents. Additionally, Trump noted that he had been subpoenaed to appear in Miami Federal Court on Tuesday, June 13 at 3 pm.
Special Counsel and Investigation
The grand jury’s decision concludes a months-long investigation by the Justice Department, now led by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Smith is in charge of existing investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents, as well as “key issues” about the assault on the Capitol.
Mar-a-Lago Search
In August of last year, the FBI searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, focusing on material that Trump had taken with him after leaving the White House. In September, a court filing gave a detailed inventory of what was found by the Justice Department in the Mar-a-Lago search.
Inventory of Classified Material
The FBI reported seizing over 11,000 government documents not marked as ‘classified’, 43 empty folders labeled ‘CLASSIFIED’, and 28 empty folders marked for return. The classified documents were mixed with Trump’s personal items and other materials in the boxes in which they were stored, with some containing classified documents stored alongside newspaper clippings, clothing, and gifts. The court filing provided a breakdown of the type of markings on the classified material, including seven documents marked as ‘top secret’, 15 as ‘secret’, and two marked ‘confidential’.
Conclusion
This is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified material. Indictment and criminal charges are rare for a former president, and this case could set precedent for future investigations and prosecutions. The fallout from this news is yet to be seen, and it will be interesting to watch how it plays out over the coming months.
