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.
-
‘Social media is the new tabloid’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Can the NBA survive FBI’s gambling investigation?Talking Points A casualty of the ‘sports gambling revolution’
-
How are ICE’s recruitment woes complicating Trump’s immigration agenda?TODAY’S BIG QUESTION Lowered training standards and ‘athletically allergic’ hopefuls are hindering the White House plan to turn the Department of Homeland Security into a federal police force
-
‘Social media is the new tabloid’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
How are ICE’s recruitment woes complicating Trump’s immigration agenda?TODAY’S BIG QUESTION Lowered training standards and ‘athletically allergic’ hopefuls are hindering the White House plan to turn the Department of Homeland Security into a federal police force
-
Trump vows new tariffs on Canada over Reagan adspeed read The ad that offended the president has Ronald Reagan explaining why import taxes hurt the economy
-
Donald Trump’s week in Asia: can he shift power away from China?Today's Big Question US president’s whirlwind week of diplomacy aims to bolster economic ties and de-escalate trade war with China
-
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rebellion: Maga hardliner turns on TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
‘Congratulations on your house, but maybe try a greyhound instead’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump wants to exert control over federal architectureThe Explainer Beyond his ballroom, Trump has several other architectural plans in mind
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
