Months before indictment, Judge found 'strong evidence' that Trump's 'intended' to hide classified documents
Boxes of records in bathroom, shower in Lake Room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida
New court documents released on Tuesday (May 20) revealedthat, months before Donald Trump's indictment for mishandling classified documents, a federal judge found 'strong evidence' that the former US president'intended' to hide these documentsin Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
Trump's attempt to have his classified documents case dismissed under the Presidential Records Act failed inApril, and the case is currentlyin Fort Pierce, Florida.
The new court documents showed that Judge Beryl Howell also cited additional classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, including a “mostly empty” folder marked “Classified Evening Summary” found in Trump’s bedroom.
“Notably, no excuse is provided as to how the former president could miss the classified-marked documents found in his own bedroom at Mar-a-Lago,” Howell reportedly wrote in March 2023.
The previously unsealed documents also showed that US President Joe Biden's administration authorised the use of 'deadly force' during the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August 2022.
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Reacting to these details, Trump took to Truth Social and wrote, “WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the ‘Icebox,’ and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.” He also added, “HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE — 25TH AMENDMENT! [sic]”
The documents have brought to light intense legal battles between federal prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers over allegations of misconduct and politicisation in the handling of the investigation.
Trump’s attorney Evan Corcoran
Howell, in her 87-page opinion, wrote that she allowedspecial counsel Jack Smith to question Trump’s attorney, Evan Corcoran, about matters typically protected by attorney-client privilege and prosecutors showed that Trump knew Corcoran had falsely informed the government that all classified materials had been returned in June 2022.
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The court filings also included images of Trump’s personal aide, Walt Nauta, moving boxes at Mar-a-Lago before a Trump attorney was set to review them. Prosecutors alleged that Nauta moved these boxes as part of a conspiracy to hide classified material from federal investigators.
Nauta, Trump, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira face charges of mishandling sensitive or classified materials and obstruction, with all three pleading not guilty. The case, which Judge Aileen Cannon is overseeing, involves multiple felony charges against Trump.
(With inputs from agencies)