- little that is good for Trump
We learned more details about how it unfolded.
It provides more details on what they found in the first fifteen boxes - 25 top secret documents for example.
What they anticipated in the warrant more specifically appears to be validated by what they found.
It counters Trump's claim that he declassified the material.
It lays out some of the criminal legal rationale in an additional exhibit.
It addresses why they had to redact (that these witnesses could be at risk or suffer retaliatory acts) and in doing so, establishes they have several cooperating civilian witnesses. You see 20+ pages redacted - which is a little stunning.
It details how the classified documents were not secure. The SCIF Trump had for reviewing classified material at Mar-a-lago does not exist anymore. Classified documents were mixed haphazardly with other documents.
The affidavit shows the back and forth on this between Trump, NARA and the DoJ lasted more than a year (starting in May 2021 or before).
It affirms the claim of Trump & his attorney that all classified documents had been returned. (but the subsequent search proved otherwise and therefore, was justified)
The letter from Trump's lawyer is revealing. It and more in the affidavit goes to the heart of the obstruction charge which hasn't been talked about as much. They also specify some of what Patel was saying. Trump is going to have a problem defending that letter and Patel. There is a video where Patel contradicts to say Trump tried to do a blanket declassification and was unable to over the objections of his people and post Oval office time, Patel was going to try to get the records declassified. They felt that there was evidence of obstruction of justice at Mar-a-lago - which was part of the basis of the search.
They also sought to recover Presidential documents for NARA.
They outline that they need to continue to investigate who had access to this info, etc. - it's ongoing.
Past FBI agent said on ABC "This case is much further down the road than many cases I've worked on in the past - which suggests that the fact it is Mar-a-lago and the former POTUS doesn't seem to be slowing them down."
The affidavit puts in black & white that there is a substantial investigation of crimes here with 20+ pages of redacted summary evidence.
I think back to the Trumpers on the Manafort jury and when they saw the evidence in black and white - that turned them against Manafort.
I cannot help but wonder what the powerbrokers of the GOP are thinking after looking at this.
I think the media will spend mega hours going over this and it will be very difficult to dismiss it as a nothing burger.
As one put it, Trump desperately needs a really good criminal lawyer.
I think the FBI/DoJ were smart. They put out enough that doesn't appear to compromise their case or witnesses but will convince many that Trump broke the law and he has a real problem here. And that should put fewer FBI and DoJ personnel at risk along with reducing the risk to the judge.
It was never going to be good news for Trump. I think that was a pretty good effort - ticked a lot of boxes.
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