This is Trump's second indictment since leaving office and the first on
federal charges
Former President Donald Trump claims that he has
been indicted by a federal grand jury for mishandling classified information.
This is his second indictment since leaving office and the first
on federal charges. The previous indictment was related to hush money payments
made to Stormy Daniels, which he pleaded not guilty to.
The investigation by the Justice Department began in February of
last year when over 100 classified documents were found in boxes returned from
Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Subsequently, more documents were handed over to
authorities following a grand jury subpoena. Trump's lawyers claimed that all
sensitive government documents had been returned, but a later FBI raid in
August 2022 discovered over 100 additional items with classified markings.
In November, former war crimes prosecutor Jack Smith was
appointed as a special counsel to oversee the investigation into the
classified documents and Trump's involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol
riot. Testimonies were taken from Mar-a-Lago staff, Trump aides, and members
of his legal team.
Evidence examined by investigators included
surveillance footage and an audio recording of Trump admitting to possessing a
classified document about a potential military strike against Iran. Trump has
argued that he declassified everything he took from the White House, stating
that a president has the authority to do so.
Trump accused the
Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI of being "weaponised" and claimed that
he has been targeted by them for years. He listed various incidents including
the Russia investigation, the Mueller Report, and impeachment proceedings as
examples of what he perceives as unjust scrutiny and interference in
elections.
In his statement, Trump demanded that Republicans in
Congress prioritise this issue. He maintains that he has done nothing wrong
and questions the legitimacy of the investigation against him.
Taking
to Truth Social, Trump said, "The corrupt Biden Administration has informed my
attorneys that I have been Indicted, seemingly over the Boxes Hoax, even
though Joe Biden has 1850 Boxes at the University of Delaware, additional
Boxes in Chinatown, D.C., with even more Boxes at the University of
Pennsylvania, and documents strewn all over his garage floor where he parks
his Corvette, and which is “secured” by only a garage door that is paper thin,
and open much of the time.
I have been summoned to appear at the
Federal Courthouse in Miami on Tuesday, at 3 PM. I never thought it possible
that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States, who
received far more votes than any sitting President in the History of our
Country, and is currently leading, by far, all Candidates, both Democrat and
Republican, in Polls of the 2024 Presidential Election. I AM AN INNOCENT
MAN!
This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America. We
are a Country in serious and rapid Decline, but together we will Make America
Great Again!"
