Donald Trump indictment: Former President kept secret documents in bathroom, tried to hide them from his own lawyer, DOJ alleges on 38 counts

Donald Trump obtained hundreds of classified documents detailing everything from the US nuclear programs to how the country might respond to a foreign attack, according to a 38-year federal indictment. charges were unsealed Friday.

The government alleges that the former US president hid boxes of these classified documents—such as CIA, Pentagon, and NSA papers—in bathrooms, inside showers, ballrooms, spaces. his office, bedroom and warehouse at his Mar-a-Lago resort and personal residence.

The government has charged both Trump and his personal aide and “surrogate” Walt Nauta as an accomplice. The charges include knowingly withholding national defense documents, falsely concealing documents, conspiracy to obstruct justice, among others. “The intent of the conspiracy was for TRUMP to keep secret documents he had brought from the White House and hide them from a federal grand jury,” the indictment states.

The indictment tracks how boxes of classified documents were moved around his property, including an alleged text message conversation between Trump employees in which one suggested noted, “There’s still a small room in the bathroom for his other things,” when discussing where to move papers. In another scene, the indictment claims Nauta, after discovering several spilled boxes in the storage room at Mar-a-Lago – revealing the “SECRET” label of the documents – texted a Trump staff about the spill.

Trump is also accused of sharing classified documents with people without a security clearance. But when the government subpoenaed any classified documents, the indictment alleges that Trump suggested to his lawyers in 2022 that it would be “better” to say he did not possess any of the documents. any. According to the indictment, Trump also asked what would happen if his attorneys did not respond to subpoenas seeking classified files and directed Nauta to turn over the documents to conceal them from his own attorney:

“I don’t want anyone to look, I don’t want anyone to look through my box, I really don’t, I don’t want you to look through my box,” Trump said, as recounted in the indictment, citing how one of the attorneys who “memorial” the conversation.

“So if we, what happens if we don’t respond at all or don’t play with them?” Trump is said to have said. The indictment also quotes Trump as saying, “Wouldn’t it be better if we just told them we have nothing here?” and, “Oh, wouldn’t it be better to have no documentation.”

“Our laws protecting defense information are vital to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced,” said special counsel Jack Smith said in a statement after the indictment had not been sealed, adding that “we have a set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone.”

Trump announced Thursday night that he was facing federal charges, posting on Truth Social that “The corrupt Biden administration has informed my attorneys that I have been indicted, apparently. It’s because of the Hoax.” He continued to defend his actions on Friday, claiming that the documents in question were his “personal files,” while also lamenting Smith. Republican lawmakers, the 2024 Republican nominee and right-wing media figures quickly came to his defense, though before the details of the indictment were not disclosed.

Read the full indictment here.

This article has been updated following Smith’s statement.