US Prosecutors Indict Trump for Classified Information Removal... Swift Trial Expected

Applied 37 Charges Including Possession and Concealment of State Secrets and False Statements
Former President Trump Denies "Nothing to Hide" and Uploads Post on Truth Social

The U.S. federal police have criminally indicted former U.S. President Donald Trump. The 49-page indictment released by the U.S. media contains allegations that former President Trump illegally removed classified national documents to his residence during his tenure. This is the first time in U.S. history that a former or sitting president has been indicted by federal prosecutors.

According to the indictment, prosecutors applied 37 counts of legal violations against former President Trump. There are 31 counts related to the intentional possession of classified national information, and 6 counts of obstruction of justice, including hiding documents under investigation and making false statements.

Prosecutors explained that former President Trump stored hundreds of classified documents he obtained during his term in boxes at the White House. After his term ended on January 20, 2021, he reportedly moved several boxes to his Mar-a-Lago resort, his private residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

Former President Trump stored the boxes in various locations within the resort, including the ballroom, restrooms, showers, offices, and bedrooms. He also spoke about or showed classified content to individuals without clearance. Sensitive information about other countries’ defense and weapons capabilities, the U.S. nuclear weapons program, and potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. and its allies during military attacks was leaked externally.

The documents came from various U.S. government agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Department of Defense, National Security Agency (NSA), and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGIA). Prosecutors pointed out that sharing documents externally without authorization could endanger national security, diplomatic relations, the safety of U.S. and military intelligence sources, and the sustainability of intelligence collection methods.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prosecutors also explained that there was obstruction by former President Trump during the investigation. Since the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began the investigation on March 30 last year, former President Trump allegedly suggested through his attorneys to hide or destroy classified documents. It was also added that he instructed his aide Waltine Nauta, who was indicted alongside him, to move and hide documents at other locations.

Former President Trump was demanded for months by the U.S. National Archives to return all documents but only returned 15 boxes containing 197 classified documents in January last year. After continued demands for return, he submitted 38 more documents in June of that year. Subsequently, the FBI conducted a search of Mar-a-Lago and recovered an additional 102 documents.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith said in a statement that day, "The law protecting defense information is critical to the safety and security of the United States," and "It must be enforced unconditionally." He also added, "We have one law in this country that applies to everyone," emphasizing that even a former president will not influence the investigation's outcome.

Special Prosecutor Smith noted, "It is important for me to emphasize that the defendant must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court," and predicted, "We will proceed with the trial promptly to serve the public interest and the defendant's rights."

Illegal removal of defense secrets carries a maximum sentence of 10 years per count, and obstruction of justice can result in up to 20 years imprisonment. However, U.S. foreign media explained that maximum sentences are rarely imposed, so the actual sentence may be lower.

A photo posted by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social. Former President Trump claimed, "There is nothing to hide," saying the photo shows boxes that were kept next to the White House before moving to Florida. / [Image source=Former President Donald Trump's Truth Social account]

Former President Trump is expected to appear for the first time in a Miami, Florida court on the 13th. This is the first time in U.S. history that a former or sitting president has been indicted by federal prosecutors. Former President Trump was previously criminally indicted by the New York District Attorney in March for allegedly paying money through an attorney to prevent porn actress Stormy Daniels from revealing their sexual encounter just before the 2016 presidential election and falsifying company records related to that payment.

Immediately after the indictment was made public, former President Trump posted criticism of the matter on his self-created social media platform, Truth Social. The related posts referred to Department of Justice officials as "crazy," "Trump haters," and "mad psychopaths."

In another post, he claimed, "I had nothing to hide and still do not," asserting that his actions were not problematic. He also criticized, "When the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago, they did not allow my lawyers or agents nearby," and "They will not tell us what they took." Former President Trump has continued to post on his account to date.

Meanwhile, former President Trump's attorneys Jim Trusty and John Rowley announced their resignation in a statement that day.