The Indicted Candidate Part 2
The public doesn’t have to wait until Tuesday to read the indictment. The DOJ released it today. Afterwards Jack Smith addressed the public for the first time. The indictment is 49 pages long and includes 38 felony counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, obstructing justice and making false statements. It’s an easy read and Jack Smith encouraged all Americans to read it. In his brief remarks he reminded the country that “we have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone.” Trump is being treated like anybody else who committed egregious crimes against the United States.
Jack Smith was understated, serious and sober. The press briefing was short and simple. No drama. He called for a speedy trial. He emphasized the harm and dangers these crimes have had on everyone who risks their lives to protect the country — intelligence agents and members of the military. He made it personal by focusing on their sacrifice and risks. “The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people. Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced.”
Trump took hundreds of boxes from the White House and transported them to Mar-a-Lago. Some were moved after he was no longer president. The boxes held all sorts of things in addition to classified documents and they were stacked in five different rooms in Mar-a-Lago — a bathroom, ballroom stage, storage room, office, and Trump’s bedroom. The indictment included photos. He took some from Mar-a-Lago and transported them his Bedminster Club.
Trump bragged about having the documents and showed them on two occasions to people who don’t have security clearance. He exposed our country and our allies to potential enemies by making our secrets and vulnerabilities available to anybody who was at Mar-a-Lago. Information about defense and weapons capabilities of the US and other countries was just sitting in cardboard filing boxes for anybody to grab. Stuff about our nuclear programs and military attack plans were kept where people go to the bathroom. His casual misuse of national security secrets shows just how stupid and careless Trump really is.
One other person was indicted along with Trump — his assistant, Waltine Nauta, who moved boxes for Trump in order to hide them from the FBI and the grand jury. Trump is paying for his legal defense.
The counts Trump is being charged with are:
Counts 1–31: Willful Retention of National Defense Information (NDI)
Count 32: Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice
Count 33: Withholding a Document or Record
Count 34: Corruptly Concealing a Document or Record
Count 35: Concealing a Document in a Federal Investigation
Count 36: Scheme to Conceal
Count 37: False Statements and Representations
If he were to be found guilty of everything and got the maximum penalties, he’d be sentenced to 490 years in prison and would have to pay $10,750,000 in fines.
Trump has called on his supporters to show up for him on Tuesday when he gets arraigned. MAGA members of Congress, Andy Biggs and Clay Higgins, have called for violence.
