The newly unsealed court documents reveal a detailed account of former President Trump’s response to warnings about the potential legal ramifications of keeping classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Despite advice from an unnamed witness, identified as Person 16, urging Trump to cooperate with federal investigators and return any classified materials, the former president appeared dismissive and unconcerned.
Person 16, described as having a security clearance and daily access to the Oval Office, recounted advising Trump to hand over the documents to prevent potential indictment. However, Trump reportedly responded in a nonchalant manner, seemingly unfazed by the warnings.
Donald Trump (Credits: AP News)
The witness highlighted efforts to convey the same message to Trump’s children, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and urging them to encourage their father to comply with investigators’ requests.
The documents also shed light on conversations involving Trump’s valet, Walt Nauta, who faces charges related to aiding Trump in moving boxes of documents and providing false information to investigators.
According to the witness, Nauta was assured by individuals close to Trump that the case was politically motivated and that Trump would pardon him in 2024, even if he faced charges.
Additionally, the filings reveal details about the investigation, codenamed Plasmic Echo, and Trump’s decision to hire attorney James Trusty after seeing him on television.
Donald Trump (Credits: ABC News – The Walt Disney Company)
Prosecutors released the documents in response to Trump’s claims of political persecution, aiming to refute the notion that the investigation is politically motivated. They assert that the government’s actions were necessary to address Trump’s obstruction of the collection of presidential records, which legally belong to the United States.
The court documents provide insight into Trump’s response to the federal investigation regarding classified documents, highlighting his apparent disregard for legal advice and the seriousness of the situation.
