United States Secret Service Investigating Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Document Storage
The Latest
- The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has asked the Department of Justice to investigate former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents.
- The Secret Service has been tasked with assisting in the investigation.
- Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he declassified all of the documents in question before leaving office.
The Investigation
National Archives Request
In a letter dated February 9, 2022, NARA asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Trump violated the Presidential Records Act (PRA) by taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago after leaving office.
Secret Service Assistance
The Secret Service has been asked to assist in the investigation by providing information about the movement of classified documents to and from Mar-a-Lago.
Trump's Response
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he declassified all of the documents in question before leaving office. He has also accused the National Archives of being politically motivated.
The Presidential Records Act
The PRA is a federal law that requires presidents to preserve all of their official records, including classified documents.
The law was enacted in 1978 in response to the Watergate scandal, in which President Richard Nixon attempted to destroy evidence of his involvement in the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Potential Consequences
If Trump is found to have violated the PRA, he could face criminal charges.
The PRA provides for fines and imprisonment for anyone who "willfully and unlawfully conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, or destroys" any presidential records.
Conclusion
The investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents is ongoing.
The outcome of the investigation could have significant consequences for Trump, including criminal charges and damage to his reputation.
