…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
A US federal court has revealed an indictment against former President Donald Trump, outlining 37 charges for his retention of classified documents after leaving office.
The indictment, spanning 49 pages, accuses Trump of sharing a classified map related to a military operation and disclosing a Pentagon “plan of attack.”
This marks the first official acknowledgment by the Justice Department of a criminal case against Trump concerning the storage of numerous documents at his residence, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida.
Improper Removal of Classified Materials:
According to the indictment, Trump is alleged to have improperly taken multiple boxes, some of which contained classified information, from the White House to Mar-a-Lago.
The materials are said to have originated from the Pentagon, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and other intelligence agencies.
One document retained by Trump reportedly involved a foreign country’s support of terrorism against US interests.
Accomplice and Access to Sensitive Information:
Accompanying Trump in the indictment is Walt Nauta, an aide who was captured on surveillance camera removing boxes at Mar-a-Lago.
Prosecutors emphasized that Trump had access to highly sensitive classified documents and national security information, including intelligence community data.
Denial of Wrongdoing and Political Motivation:
Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing and asserted that the prosecution is politically motivated.
In an online video posted on Thursday, he reiterated his belief that the investigation is a “witch hunt.”
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences:
Trump is scheduled to appear in court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon, where a federal grand jury has been hearing testimonies related to the case.
If convicted, he could face imprisonment.
Ongoing Legal Troubles:
This indictment adds to the growing list of legal challenges faced by the former President.
Trump is set to stand trial in New York next March for a state case arising from a hush-money payment to a porn star.
Additionally, investigations are ongoing into Trump’s alleged efforts, alongside his allies, to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
A district attorney in Georgia is also scrutinizing Trump’s actions regarding the 2020 election in that state.
White House’s Stance and President Biden’s Silence:
The White House has distanced itself from Trump’s legal battles, and President Joe Biden declined to comment when asked by reporters about the indictment during an event in North Carolina.