Grand jury in Trump documents case to reportedly meet this week


The federal grand jury convened for the Justice Department investigation of former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents will meet again this coming week, NBC News reported Sunday.
The grand jury had been hearing evidence in the case for several months, but "activity appeared to have slowed in recent weeks based on observations at the courthouse and sources," NBC reported. The pause came even as prosecutors, led by special counsel Jack Smith, continued to gather evidence against the former president, though it is unclear if the DOJ is prepared to bring charges.
The crux of the case is whether Trump mishandled classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office, and whether he impeded efforts to return them. Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, saying he could declassify whatever he wanted as president.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, a bombshell report this past week revealed that the former president had been recorded talking about a classified document in his possession. In the audio recording, made in July 2021, Trump reportedly acknowledges keeping a classified military document after leaving office, despite understanding that he was not legally allowed to do so. The recording also reportedly makes it clear that Trump understood he could not automatically declassify documents, despite his earlier assertion that as president, he could declassify anything, including with his mind.
It was also reported by CNN that Trump's lawyers have been unable to find the classified document referred to in the recording.
As the grand jury prepares to reconvene, attorney Bradley Moss said Trump's declassification case was always weak. "A verbal command doesn't do it," he told NBC. "A tweet doesn't do it. There has to be follow-up documentation through the agencies making clear what is being declassified."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Hospital league tables: how does the new ranking system work?
The Explainer NHS trusts are now ranked according to six performance indicators, with leaders of low-performing facilities facing penalties
-
Quiz of The Week: 6 – 12 September
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The week’s best photos
In Pictures A palace on fire, a shopping cart protest, and more
-
Calls for both calm and consequences follow Kirk killing
TALKING POINTS The suspected assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk has some public figures pleading for restraint, while others agitate for violent reprisals
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at 31
Speed Read Kirk was holding a debate session at Utah Valley University
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump