Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Justice Department over his handling of classified documents at his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, according to court documents unsealed Friday.
Trump, who is facing felony charges related to retaining classified information, making false statements and obstructing justice, will appear in court in Miami on Tuesday.
Read live updates on the indictment below:
Pinned
Key Things To Know Friday Evening
- The indictment against Trump was unsealed Friday afternoon, revealing 37 felony federal charges related to his handling of classified documents after his term in the White House ended.
- It includes several photos of documents stored around Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, including one showing boxes of documents stacked next to a toilet and others showing boxes in a storage room with multiple outside access points.
- Special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the investigation, spoke at a press conference following the indictment’s release, saying: “Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced.”
- Following the indictment’s release, Trump posted on his Truth Social site that he didn’t know he couldn’t take documents with him from the White House. “Nobody said I wasn’t allowed to look at the personal records that I brought with me from the White House,” he wrote. “There’s nothing wrong with that…."
Stay Tuned Next Week For More Live Coverage
We’re closing out our live coverage for this week on the federal charges filed against Trump. We will return Tuesday with up-to-the-minute coverage of Trump’s court appearance in Miami and further developments related to the indictment.
In the meantime, check out HuffPost.com for more reporting and analysis throughout the weekend.
In the meantime, check out HuffPost.com for more reporting and analysis throughout the weekend.
"It's Actually Incredible, Right?"
A segment with CNN's Erin Burnett and Andrew Kaczynski took a deep dive into the many, many times when Donald Trump has called for enforcement of the rules surrounding the handling of classified documents.
Chris Christie Calls Trump Indictment ‘Devastating’
Former New Jersey governor and 2024 presidential candidate Chris Christie (R) told CNN on Friday night that Donald Trump’s indictment is “devastating.”
“Is this the type of conduct that we want from someone who wants to be president of the United States?” he asked, The New York Times reported.
Christie had tweeted about the indictment on Thursday night, before it had been unsealed. He appeared to warn people to be cautious when reading information posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and emphasized the importance of waiting for the facts.
“We don’t get our news from Trump’s Truth Social account. Let’s see what the facts are when any possible indictment is released. As I have said before, no one is above the law, no matter how much they wish they were. We will have more to say when the facts are revealed,” Christie wrote Thursday.
Lisa Murkowski Echoes What Other Lawmakers Have Been Saying: ‘No One Is Above The Law’
In a Twitter thread posted on Friday evening, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reiterated common talking points that several other lawmakers have been saying in the wake of Donald Trump’s federal indictment.
“As I’ve stated before, no one is above the law but every American is innocent until proven guilty. Still, the charges in this case are quite serious and cannot be casually dismissed,” she said in a tweet on Friday evening.
She continued: “Mishandling classified documents is a federal crime because it can expose national secrets, as well as the sources and methods they were obtained through. The unlawful retention and obstruction of justice related to classified documents are also criminal matters. Anyone found guilty – whether an analyst, a former president, or another elected or appointed official – should face the same set of consequences.”
“As I’ve stated before, no one is above the law but every American is innocent until proven guilty. Still, the charges in this case are quite serious and cannot be casually dismissed,” she said in a tweet on Friday evening.
She continued: “Mishandling classified documents is a federal crime because it can expose national secrets, as well as the sources and methods they were obtained through. The unlawful retention and obstruction of justice related to classified documents are also criminal matters. Anyone found guilty – whether an analyst, a former president, or another elected or appointed official – should face the same set of consequences.”
Chuck Schumer And Hakeem Jeffries: ‘No One Is Above The Law - Including Donald Trump’
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement on Friday afternoon about Trump’s federal indictment.
"No one is above the law - including Donald Trump. This indictment must now play out through the legal process, without any outside political or ideological interference,” the New York Democrats said. “We encourage Mr. Trump's supporters and critics alike to let this case proceed peacefully in court."
"No one is above the law - including Donald Trump. This indictment must now play out through the legal process, without any outside political or ideological interference,” the New York Democrats said. “We encourage Mr. Trump's supporters and critics alike to let this case proceed peacefully in court."
Trump Claims He Didn't Know He Couldn't Look At Classified Documents He Took
Shortly after the indictment against him was unsealed, Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday afternoon that he wasn't told that he couldn't look at the personal records he'd taken from the White House.
But according to MSNBC, this isn't true. Several people, including the National Archives and Records Administration and the FBI subpoena, warned Trump not to look at the documents.
"I had nothing to hide, nor do I now. Nobody said I wasn’t allowed to look at the personal records that I brought with me from the White House. There’s nothing wrong with that…." he wrote.
But according to MSNBC, this isn't true. Several people, including the National Archives and Records Administration and the FBI subpoena, warned Trump not to look at the documents.
"I had nothing to hide, nor do I now. Nobody said I wasn’t allowed to look at the personal records that I brought with me from the White House. There’s nothing wrong with that…." he wrote.
Secret Service Says Business As Usual In Miami
In a Friday statement, the U.S. Secret Service said it “will not seek any special accommodations outside of what would be required to ensure the former President’s continued safety” during Trump’s scheduled court appearance on Tuesday in Miami.
Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi added, "We have the utmost confidence in the professionalism and commitment to security shared by our law enforcement partners in Florida."
Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi added, "We have the utmost confidence in the professionalism and commitment to security shared by our law enforcement partners in Florida."
Trump Attacks Smith Ahead Of His Indictment Address
Trump dragged Smith on Truth Social mere minutes before the special counsel was scheduled to address Trump's indictment at the Justice Department.
In his post, the former president accused Smith of involvement in the IRS’s investigation of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status in 2010.
“This is the man who caused the Lois Lerner catastrophe with the IRS. He went after Evangelicals and Great Americans of Faith. The United States had to apologize, and pay major damages for what this deranged lunatic did," Trump posted, referencing a meeting Smith had asked for with then-IRS official Lois Lerner, according to NBC News.
Trump continued: “He had a unanimous loss in the Supreme Court. His wife is a Trump Hater, just as he is a Trump Hater—a deranged “psycho” that shouldn’t be involved in any case having to do with “Justice,” other than to look at Biden as a criminal, which he is!”
In his post, the former president accused Smith of involvement in the IRS’s investigation of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status in 2010.
“This is the man who caused the Lois Lerner catastrophe with the IRS. He went after Evangelicals and Great Americans of Faith. The United States had to apologize, and pay major damages for what this deranged lunatic did," Trump posted, referencing a meeting Smith had asked for with then-IRS official Lois Lerner, according to NBC News.
Trump continued: “He had a unanimous loss in the Supreme Court. His wife is a Trump Hater, just as he is a Trump Hater—a deranged “psycho” that shouldn’t be involved in any case having to do with “Justice,” other than to look at Biden as a criminal, which he is!”
Smith Vows To Seek ‘Speedy Trial’
In concluding his remarks at the Justice Department, Smith said his office “will seek a speedy trial in this matter consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused.”
“We very much look forward to presenting our case to a jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida,” he said.
Smith also thanked the FBI for collaborating with his office on the investigation.
“I’m deeply proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them,” he said.
“We very much look forward to presenting our case to a jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida,” he said.
Smith also thanked the FBI for collaborating with his office on the investigation.
“I’m deeply proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them,” he said.
Special Counsel: Laws Apply To Everyone
Smith appeared to address GOP critics who have accused the Justice Department of being politically motivated.
"Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk. Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice, and our nation’s commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world," Smith said.
"We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone," he continued. "Applying those laws, collecting facts, that’s what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more, nothing less."
Smith also defended his team of prosecutors as "among the most talented and experienced" in the DOJ.
"They’ve investigated this case hewing to the highest ethical standards, and they will continue to do so as this case proceeds," he said.
"Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk. Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice, and our nation’s commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world," Smith said.
"We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone," he continued. "Applying those laws, collecting facts, that’s what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more, nothing less."
Smith also defended his team of prosecutors as "among the most talented and experienced" in the DOJ.
"They’ve investigated this case hewing to the highest ethical standards, and they will continue to do so as this case proceeds," he said.
Key Moment
Smith Formally Announces Indictment
Special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland last year to probe the Mar-a-Lago documents case as well as Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, said in a press conference on Friday that Trump had been charged “with felony violations of our national security laws as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice.”
“I invite everyone to read [the indictment] in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged,” Smith said.
“I invite everyone to read [the indictment] in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged,” Smith said.
Coming Up: Smith Speaks
Special counsel Jack Smith will speak shortly at the Justice Department. We'll have live updates throughout his remarks.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaks Out On Indictment: ‘We Must Win In 2024.’
Extremist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) used news of Trump’s indictment to emphasize the need for Republicans to win the 2024 presidential election.
In a long tweet posted shortly after news of the indictment broke last night, Greene took a dig at the Democratic Party, saying that they must “awake in the night with panic” at the thought of Republicans winning in 2024.
“Their heads must ache painfully from never ending think tank sessions in white walled rooms trying to figure out how to cover up everyone’s crimes because their web of crimes and corruption are so intricately weaved together while they contort their minds to come up with never ending fake crimes from fake accusations as they harass innocent people any where in or near the Trump orbit,” she tweeted on Friday night.
The Republican also took a moment to reference an investigation that found classified documents at President Joe Biden home — among other examples — as a means of highlighting what she called the “biggest hypocrisy in modern day history.”
“Literally on the garage floor next to the garage door that opens and closes, but the corrupt and complicit FBI and DOJ do nothing,” she tweeted.
In a long tweet posted shortly after news of the indictment broke last night, Greene took a dig at the Democratic Party, saying that they must “awake in the night with panic” at the thought of Republicans winning in 2024.
“Their heads must ache painfully from never ending think tank sessions in white walled rooms trying to figure out how to cover up everyone’s crimes because their web of crimes and corruption are so intricately weaved together while they contort their minds to come up with never ending fake crimes from fake accusations as they harass innocent people any where in or near the Trump orbit,” she tweeted on Friday night.
The Republican also took a moment to reference an investigation that found classified documents at President Joe Biden home — among other examples — as a means of highlighting what she called the “biggest hypocrisy in modern day history.”
“Literally on the garage floor next to the garage door that opens and closes, but the corrupt and complicit FBI and DOJ do nothing,” she tweeted.
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