|
Post by Newsman on Jun 8, 2023 19:48:01 GMT -5
Federal prosecutors earlier this evening have announced a criminal indictment against the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump...(The Guardian) Federal prosecutors have charged Donald Trump with violating the Espionage Act and conspiring to obstruct the criminal investigation among other counts, according to a person familiar with the matter, a historic development marking the most significant legal peril yet for the former president. The exact nature of the seven-count indictment, filed by the office of special counsel Jack Smith in federal district court in Miami, remains unclear. At least some of the counts include willful retention of national security materials, obstruction, scheme to conceal, false statements and conspiracy, the person said. Trump and his legal team were told of the charges on Thursday afternoon. Trump is expected to surrender himself to authorities in Miami on Tuesday at 3pm, the person said, confirming what the former president posted on his Truth Social platform.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 19:57:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 19:58:25 GMT -5
(BBC News) Trump announces indictment on Truth SocialDonald Trump announced that his attorneys have informed him he has been indicted for a second time over the mishandling of classified documents. He posted on Truth Social on Thursday night saying he has been “summoned to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Miami on Tuesday, at 3 PM”. “I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States, who received far more votes than any sitting President in the History of our Country, and is currently leading, by far, all Candidates, both Democrat and Republican, in Polls of the 2024 Presidential Election,” he wrote. The Department of Justice has yet to put out a statement. What has the former President been indicted for?We do not yet officially know what is in the federal indictment against former President Donald J Trump. But two sources familiar with the investigation confirmed to CBS News, the BBC's domestic partner, that the "multi-count indictment" involves the "retention of national defence information and obstruction."
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:04:20 GMT -5
(BBC News) What’s this case about?Last August, the Justice Department searched Donald Trump’s property in Florida and seized 11,000 documents. Now - according to CBS, BBC's US broadcast partner - the former president is facing a multi-count indictment related to retaining national defence information, and obstruction of justice. Some of the documents seized last year - about 100 - were marked as“classified”, while others were marked as “top secret”. It is illegal for officials - even the president - to remove or keep classified documents at an unauthorised, insecure location. It’s unclear what, exactly, is in those documents. The classifications, however, suggest that officials believe that at least some of them could damage national security if made public. In November last year, the Justice Department appointed former war crimes prosecutor Jack Smith to oversee the evidence in the case, as well as a separate inquiry into Trump’s alleged role in the 6 January riot at the US Capitol.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:05:31 GMT -5
Kayla Epstein, BBC News US reporter: If tonight’s news seems familiar, it’s because a very similar scenario played out in March, when the Manhattan district attorney indicted Trump on felony charges for falsifying business records.
Trump also attempted to get out ahead of that indictment by writing on his Truth Social account that he was about to be arrested on a particular date. He also called for his supporters to "PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!”
In reality, it took several more days for DA Alvin Bragg to show his hand, and news broke on 31 March that a grand jury had indicted Trump. He appeared in a New York City court for a historic arraignment on 4 April. Though this case is completely different, Trump appears to once again be trying to set the narrative and fire up his supporters by announcing a looming indictment before prosecutors do. And his previous actions serve as a reminder to take Trump's Truth Social claims about his legal challenges with a grain of salt. Madeline Halpert, BBC News US reporter: Former President Donald Trump's first criminal indictment brought by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in March has yet to derail his bid for re-election for president, and these second set of charges are unlikely to either, according to some experts. "He can be indicted any number of times and it won't stop his ability to stand for office," says David Super, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
Super notes that Trump could continue to run for office even if convicted in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, but it remains to be seen whether the Republican Party would stand by him.
Politically, Super says, the Mar-a-Lago case may not have much of an impact on Trump supporters. “The Manhattan case doesn't seem to have done any real damage to his poll numbers and I'd be surprised if this one did either," he says.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:12:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:26:22 GMT -5
(BBC News) It's a disgusting act of election interference, says TrumpIn a follow up to his initial post on Truth Social, Donald Trump put out a statement calling this "yet another witch hunt" for documents that he had the "right to declassify as President of the United States". He said this all began when the FBI raided his home and "staged it to look like a made-for-TV crime scene with police sirens and flashing red and blue lights". The former president insisted this is "disgusting act of election Interference by the ruling party to eliminate its opposition and amass total control over our country". Quote Message: No matter how viciously they attack me, I will NEVER, EVER SURRENDER our country to the radical Left – and I will NEVER end this presidential campaign that puts YOU first." No matter how viciously they attack me, I will NEVER, EVER SURRENDER our country to the radical Left – and I will NEVER end this presidential campaign that puts YOU first." Secret Service will meet with President Trump's staff on FridayA law enforcement source has confirmed to CBS News, the BBC's domestic partner, that the US Secret Service will be meeting with former President Donald Trump's security and staff Friday. The secret service agents assigned to the president will develop a plan for Donald Trump's travel and appearance for his arraignment in Miami. Agents will be tasked with securing the federal courthouse and surrounding areas for the former president's safety.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:30:55 GMT -5
(MSNBC) Charges against Trump include conspiracy to obstruct, false statementsNBC News has new details about the seven charges against the former president: "Two sources briefed on the seven charges told NBC News the charges include false statements and conspiracy to obstruct. All charges are related to retaining documents and obstructing justice." One source notes that seven charges doesn’t necessarily mean seven counts, because there can be multiple counts associated with each charge. Republicans eagerly rally around TrumpA familiar dynamic is already beginning to play out: Republicans are swiftly rallying around former President Donald Trump before they even know what he’s been charged with, or what exact evidence has been used to make the case for those charges. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri tweeted, “If the people in power can jail their political opponents at will, we don’t have a republic.” (Trump has been indicted — he hasn’t been convicted, or given a jail sentence.) Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas said the indictment was proof that the U.S. is a “banana republic.” The House Judiciary Committee — of “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” fame — tweeted out “WITCH HUNT.” And Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, proclaimed it a “sad day for America.” Of course one of the strongest indications that a country is a nation of laws is that a former president could be indicted. The worrisome thing would be if the indictment was based on nonsense — or if Trump were not indicted in spite of the evidence. But there is plenty of evidence that Trump handled classified documents inappropriately, and one has to know the details of the case before dismissing it. Contrast the Republican response with the measured response from the Biden administration: A White House spokesman declined to comment on former President Trump’s latest indictment, referring NBC News to the Department of Justice, “which conducts its criminal investigations independently.”
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:31:53 GMT -5
(MSNBC) Eric Holder: Trump could try to cut a dealFormer Attorney General Eric Holder speaking on “All in With Chris Hayes,” moments ago: Given the strength of the case as I know it, I suspect there would be a real attempt on the part of the defense to try to cut a deal, such that you would minimize the amount of time that the defendant would serve in jail, the amount of money that he might have to pay.
Donald Trump is a different kind of bird. He will undoubtedly try to portray this as the deep state getting after him, he will somehow try to tie it to Democrats’ attempt to deny him the nomination and ultimately the presidency once again. But I think people have underestimated how the American people are going to view this indictment and then others that are to follow, including the one in Manhattan that has already been returned — how they’re going to view the totality of these charges against Mr. Trump and the impact it’s going to have on his political fortunes.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:41:20 GMT -5
Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America correspondent: As with his first indictment, conservatives - with a few notable exceptions - are rallying around the former president. “If the people in power can jail their political opponents at will,” tweeted Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, “we don’t have a republic.”
Other Republicans in Congress, including Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, right-wing firebrand Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump confidante Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, accused the Justice Department (DOJ) of aggressively prosecuting the former president while turning a blind eye to alleged crimes by President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. “Joe Biden has classified documents everywhere,” Ms Greene tweeted. “Literally on the garage floor next to the garage door that opens and closes, but the corrupt and complicit FBI and DOJ do nothing.” Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America correspondent: One of his sharper critics, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, released a statement condemning the former president and calling for him to end his campaign. “Donald Trump's actions - from his wilful disregard for the Constitution to his disrespect for the rule of law- should not define our nation or the Republican Party,” he said. “While Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a major distraction.”
The former president saw a sharp uptick in his poll standing among Republican voters after his first indictment. This time around, his Republican opponents may feel compelled to launch more pointed attacks, lest Mr Trump use this adversity to further cement his lead heading into next year’s nominating contests.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 20:43:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 22:11:35 GMT -5
(BBC News) Trump will show up on Tuesday, his lawyer saysThe former President's attorney, Mr Trusty, has confirmed that Donald Trump will appear in court in Miami next week. Speaking to CNN, he said he was expecting a copy of the indictment ''sometime between now and Tuesday afternoon. If they want to continue to play games, they'll give it to us at 3:01pm, Tuesday. '' What will we see in Miami next week?Former federal prosecutor Joe Moreno has told BBC News the public is unlikely to find out what will happen when Trump appears before the federal judge next Tuesday, as it will take place behind closed doors. He said: “You might see Trump’s motorcade pull up to the federal court house, you might see him briefly exit the car. “But at the end of the day it will be behind cameras and behind closed doors and there will be an awkward negotiation between the secret service and other federal court security officers about how to handle this very unprecedented and frankly shameful situation.”
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 22:15:54 GMT -5
(BBC News) What a Miami courtroom might mean for TrumpSpecial Counsel Jack Smith had the option to bring charges against the former President in Florida or Washington, DC. By having the trial in Florida, Trump's legal team cannot make a case that the trial and jury is being held in hostile terrain as Washington is overwhelmingly Democratic. Defendants also have a right to be charged where the incident in question took place, under US law. Florida voted for Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. The choice of location could affect how the jury pool leans. Trump in good spirits at his New Jersey home, his lawyer saysThe former president is currently staying at his golf resort and home in Bedminster, New Jersey, according to one of his lawyers, and was there when he posted a video describing the plans to charge him. "I am with him now in Bedminster," Alina Habba confirmed to Fox News. “He is in good spirits. And for the American people, just know that this is just another day for him and he’s doing just fine.” According to the Associated Press, he travelled there last week after a campaign stop in Iowa. The news agency reports that he plans to spend the hot summer months there - rather than his much warmer Florida home - prepping for his re-election bid. The Bedminster resort, located just outside New York City, has become one of Trump's preferred places to spend his time. The other being Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where prosecutors found the classified documents at the centre of this newest case against him.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 8, 2023 22:16:37 GMT -5
(BBC News) 10:47pm Summary--Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that federal prosecutors have indicted him in a case that centres around mishandled documents from his presidency. --Trump's lawyer said he would appear at a federal court in Miami on Tuesday. --Last year, FBI agents raided Trump's Florida estate and took back multiple boxes of documents from the White House and materials from his presidency - including several that were classified or marked "top secret". --By law, presidential documents must be turned over to the National Archives after a president leaves office. --Trump claims he did nothing wrong. He said in a video released tonight that the indictment was an unjust attempt to hinder his presidential campaign. --The indictment has not been released and the Justice Department has not commented. The New York Times reports the indictment contains seven charges, including making false statements, obstruction of justice, and wilfully detaining national defence secrets. --Many Republican politicians and even some of his 2024 rivals have come to Trump's defence, while Democrats are calling for the former president to face justice.
|
|
|
Post by Webster on Jun 9, 2023 0:07:57 GMT -5
(BBC News) Here's a little more from one of Trump's lawyers, James Trusty. He told CBS, the BBC's partner in the US, that charges against the former president likely include conspiracy, false statements, obstruction of justice, and other charges under the Espionage Act. Trump had been served a summons document that contains "some language in it that suggests what the seven charges would be", but they had not seen the actual indictment, Trusty said. He described the charges as a "crazy stretch" and said the espionage charge was "ludicrous under the facts of this case". The lawyer also said they were not aware of anyone else being indicted in relation to these cases.
Reacting to the news of Trump’s indictment, former federal prosecutor Joe Moreno said it was "embarrassing", before adding the former president has "nobody to blame but himself" for the situation. Speaking to BBC News, Mr Moreno said: “He had every opportunity to avoid this situation, by all accounts he spent months negotiating the terms of these documents with the national archives, he was served with a subpoena. He said: 'I've given you everything' and then it took an FBI raid last summer to recover a hundred more classified documents. So for Donald Trump to now say, 'I’m an innocent man...this is unfair' - the fact is he put himself in this position and he absolutely knew better and now we are where we are."
|
|