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Topline
Security cameras at Mar-A-Lago captured footage of boxes being moved at former President Donald Trump’s residence even after he was asked to return all classified government documents in his possession back in May, the New York Times reported Thursday, following the Justice Department’s earlier claims that the documents were “likely concealed or removed.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is seen in Palm Beach, Florida.
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Key Facts
According to the New York Times, footage of Walt Nauta, a long-time Trump aide who also served in the White House, moving the boxes out of the storage room at Mar-a-Lago—both from before and after the Justice Department’s subpoena demanding the return of classified documents—is now being closely investigated.
The DOJ has reportedly interviewed Nauta multiple times as part of its investigation and despite answering their questions, he is not formally cooperating with the investigation, the Times’ report added.
On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that a Trump aide told the FBI they were directly ordered by the former president himself to move boxes of documents at Mar-A-Lago.
Witnesses have told the investigators that Trump issued the order to move the documents after receiving a subpoena from the Justice Department in May demanding the return of the documents, the Post’s report added.
Although the identity of the staffer mentioned in the Post’s report is unclear, “a person familiar with…Trump’s orbit” told the Times it may be someone other than Nauta.
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Key Background
The DOJ’s investigation is trying to determine if Trump violated federal laws by taking classified government documents with him after leaving the White House. In an August court filing, the Justice Department said the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-A-Lago residence was carried out after it suspected that sensitive government materials were “likely [being]
concealed or removed” in a possible attempt to “obstruct the government’s investigation.” Earlier this month, the Times reported that the Justice Department believes Trump still has more classified government documents in his possession. The DOJ’s head of counterintelligence, Jay Bratt, has reportedly reached out to Trump’s lawyers with this concern and has demanded the return of all documents with classified markings. Trump’s legal team, however, has reportedly refused to cooperate and has even dismissed the proposal of a third-party forensic audit raised by one of its members. During its search of Mar-A-Lago, the FBI found at least 48 empty folders with classified markings—indicating that the documents had been moved.
Big Number
325. That is the total number of classified documents that have been recovered from Mar-A-Lago so far, according to a CNN tracker. This includes nearly 190 documents voluntarily handed over to the National Archives by Trump’s attorneys and “over 100” seized by the FBI in its search.
What To Watch For
Last week, Trump appealed to the Supreme Court to reappoint a special master to review all documents seized from Mar-A-Lago, arguing that they should be protected under either attorney-client or executive privilege. Florida federal court judge Aileen Cannon previously agreed with Trump’s request and appointed federal judge Raymond Dearie to review the documents. But following an appeal by the DOJ, the 11th Circuit court blocked Dearie from reviewing the classified documents. If the Supreme Court sides with Trump, it could allow him to further delay the investigation.
Further Reading
Trump Aide Was Seen on Security Footage Moving Boxes at Mar-a-Lago (New York Times)
Trump worker told FBI about moving Mar-a-Lago boxes on ex-president’s orders (Washington Post)
DOJ Reportedly Believes Trump Has More Government Documents (Forbes)
