DOJ Accuses Trump of Hiding Classified Documents

Facts

• On Tue., the US Justice Department (DOJ) in a court filing said they have evidence that former Pres. Donald Trump and his advisers failed to turn over highly classified govt. documents, even after they were subpoenaed.
• The 36-page filing is in response to Trump’s request for a special master to review the materials taken from his Mar-a-Lago residence in an Aug. 8 search. A hearing to review this request is scheduled for Thursday.
• According to the filing, the FBI took 33 items of evidence, including 13 boxes that contained classified documents. Some documents were categorized as top secret. US intelligence analysts are reviewing the materials to determine the potential risk to national security.
• The filing also accuses Trump’s team of misrepresentation when it assured the DOJ in writing on June 3 that all White House records were within a storage room, and it had conducted a thorough search of the residence and turned over all relevant documents.
• Trump has claimed the documents are protected by executive privilege, and that he declassified them while president. But the filing says his lawyers never asserted either claim.
• This filing came after the DOJ said on Monday that a team had already reviewed the material taken from Mar-a-Lago and set aside documents that may be subject to attorney-client privilege, potentially rendering Trump’s request for a special master unnecessary.

Sources: NBC, Washington Post, FOX News, and Improve the News.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. The DOJ has presented its strongest case yet against Trump, and the former president is clearly in hot water for not turning over these documents and obstructing justice. It’s only a matter of time before he’s held accountable.
• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Townhall. This is a continuation of the DOJ’s effort to nail Trump on anything it can. They’ll likely be able to add this to a growing list of failed attempts to take him down considering the search of Trump’s home was unlawful, he has the right to maintain his presidential documents, and has the power to declassify them as he likes.