Former President Donald Trump made what he described as “shocking” allegations against the Department of Justice (DOJ) amid reports that a federal prosecutor is poised to indict him for alleged mishandling of classified documents.
In the message posted just before midnight on June 7, the former president continued: “This criminal and salacious act from within the DOJ has brought shame and embarrassment to this once great and respected institution.” Trump also asserted that, as a result, “there is now extreme turmoil inside the DOJ.”
“The highly respected lawyer was incensed and disgusted at this corrupt and illegal offer. The fake ‘case’ against me must be immediately dropped,” Trump continued. “And the Inspector General should launch an investigation into this and the many other all-too-obvious wrongdoings and crimes taking place at the DOJ and FBI!”
2nd Historic Indictment?
In late March, Trump became the first former U.S. president to be indicted on criminal charges in a state case. He has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he violated New York’s business records law; that case is set for trial in March 2024. In a second state case, Georgia state prosecutors are investigating Trump for election meddling; a decision in that case could come late this summer.But the peril Trump currently faces is at the federal level. Special Counsel Jack Smith also has been investigating Trump for alleged interference with imposing the 2020 election results.
Trump says he was merely exercising his First Amendment right to speak out against an election that he believes was “stolen.” The Republican former president has never conceded defeat to Democrat President Joe Biden.
In a second probe, Smith has been investigating Trump, who was president from 2017 to 2021, for his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.
He has been the target of repeated investigations. His detractors say he has so far evaded true accountability. But Trump and his supporters say political enemies have unfairly singled him out and are seeking to destroy him at all costs.
The status of Smith’s probe is unclear, but there have been widespread reports that he is poised to indict Trump in the documents case. Trump has referred to that probe as “the boxes hoax.”
The anticipated federal indictment of Trump would mark another unprecedented situation in American history; some say it would further deteriorate the fabric of our nation and undermine our republic.
Trump has pointed out that the investigations are occurring in the thick of his 2024 presidential run. He argues that the prosecutions are intended to torpedo his chances of regaining the White House at a time when opinion polls show him to be the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
Disparate Treatment Alleged
Trump claims that “fake” investigations against him are intended to distract from the scandals simmering around Biden, who is under congressional scrutiny for foreign business dealings that could include bribes. Also, a special counsel has been appointed to investigate Biden’s handling of classified documents that were generated either during his tenure as vice president or as a longtime U.S. senator.Trump alleges that the nation operates under an unfair, two-tiered justice system designed to shield Biden and other career politicians from being held accountable for any wrongdoing. Trump was a New York businessman and had never run for office before beginning his successful presidential campaign in 2015.
Trump was cleared after a lengthy investigation into what he called “The Russia Hoax,” allegations that he colluded with Russians to undermine U.S. interests. He also decries “Impeachment Hoax #1,” which alleged that he improperly worked with Ukraine to assist in his 2020 re-election campaign, and “Impeachment Hoax #2,” accusing him of inciting violence during an uprising among some who were protesting the election results and turned violent at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Earlier on June 7, Trump denied being personally notified that he was going to be indicted, despite widespread reports that he had been told that charges arising from Smith’s investigation were imminent.
Solomon said his report was based on information from multiple unnamed people who are familiar with Trump’s case.
Anticipating a possible indictment, “Trump’s lawyers have prepared a robust defense,” Solomon wrote, which could include arguments that the Constitution grants presidents “broad powers” to keep or declassify documents after they leave office.
However, Solomon reported that prosecutors would likely argue that such presidential authority “does not extend to documents containing National Defense Information whose retention or release could jeopardize national security.”
