Full federal indictment against Donald Trump unsealed
The full federal indictment against former President Donald Trump was unsealed Friday, charging the former president with 37 felony counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents.
The indictment is a scathing accusation of national security breaches and lapses in the handling of classified information. It alleges that Trump brought a massive collection of boxes containing classified information to his private Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, upon leaving the White House on Jan. 20, 2021.
Trump ceased to be president on this date, and "was not authorized to possess or retain those classified documents," the indictment says, also noting that "the Mar-a-Lago Club was not an authorized location for the storage, possession, review, display or discussion of classified documents."
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.
"Nevertheless, Trump stored his boxes containing classified documents in various locations at the Mar-a-Lago Club — including in a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room," the indictment alleges. The indictment also includes photographic evidence, including a picture of a bathroom where boxes can be seen stacked halfway to the ceiling.
The indictment adds that "Trump showed classified documents to others" on at least two separate occasions, and the included transcript of an audio-recorded conversation suggests he showed a secret attack plan to members of his staff and others who didn't have security clearances. "As president I could have declassified it," Trump reportedly says of the document. "Now I can't, you know, but this is still a secret."
The majority of the indictment, counts one through 31, charges the former president with "willful retention of national defense information," which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Other counts include conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.
Trump has said he is innocent and claims the indictment is politically motivated. He says he will plead not guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday.
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.
-
Political cartoons for October 27Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include improving national monuments, the NBA gambling scandal, and the AI energy vampire
-
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
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
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
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Whistles emerge as Chicago’s tool to fight ICEIN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal agents continue raiding the city, communities have turned to noisemakers to create a warning system
