A number of the documents that were recently retrieved by the National Archives from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate were clearly marked as classified – and some were also labeled “top secret,” according to new reporting from The Washington Post.
Two sources withInformation about the documents that were found confirmed earlier this week’s reports that some documents were classified. The discovery that Trump was keeping “top secret” documents on his property in Palm Beach, Florida, long after leaving the White House, has prompted several lawmakers to call for a formal inquiry.
Documents classified are usually kept in safe and secure places. A “top secret” classification applies to documents that can only be viewed by individuals with specific clearance credentials. Should unauthorized disclosure of these documents take place, it “could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security,” according to the National Archives’s Information Security Oversight Office.
Trump has downplayed reports he transferred sensitive documents into his residence after leaving office. He claimed in a statement on his website that the retrieval of the documents was routine and viewed as “no big deal.” But former federal prosecutor Brandon Van Grack told The Washington Post that Trump’s actions would, at the very least, require examination.
“The FBI would want and need to review the information and conduct an investigation to determine what occurred and whether any sources and methods were compromised,” Van Grack said.
Washington legislators expressed outrage at the revelations, and suggested that investigation should be conducted into the transfer of classified documents.
“The House should immediately investigate a possible Trump theft of top secret documents,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) said on Twitter.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-California) also condemned Trump’s actions.
“The former President of the United States is a national security liability,” Lieu said. “Beyond the pale that he removed Top Secret documents and placed them in an unauthorized location.”
The news confirming that Trump improperly transferred classified and “top secret” information comes as the former president faces renewed scrutiny for his handling of presidential documents during his time in office. The National Archives recently sent documents to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Attack. Trump had ripped the papers apart and they had to be taped back together to be able to be read and used for evidence.
Trump’s destruction of the documents is a clear violation of the Presidential Records Act. Trump’s transfer of classified documents from White House to Mar-a-Lago could also be a violation of law.
Violations of the Presidential Records Act can result in severe fines and even several years imprisonment. Experts disagree. However, they say that prosecution of violations of the act is possible. is difficultThis is because it requires that the president can prove that they intended to act in an illegal manner or that they otherwise neglected sensitive information.
Despite these challenges, the National Archives has survived. has sent a formal request to the Department of Justice to investigate Trump’s handlingDocuments of the President The House Oversight Committee has also opened an inquiry into the matter.
