A tantalizing detail in a new Trump legal filing

[Nevilledog]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/10/trump-classified-documents-motive/

No paywall
https://archive.ph/9Zd5g

Donald Trump’s many legal problems have led to a veritable fire hose of often-mundane, procedural court filings. But occasionally, there’s a nugget that catches your eye.

Such was the case Monday, in the government’s latest filing in Trump’s classified documents case.

While arguing against the motion by Trump’s lawyers to delay the May 20 trial, special counsel Jack Smith’s lawyers assured they’re ready to go and that such a delay isn’t necessary, unsurprisingly. But they also said they are ready to prove something significant that, to this point, has remained shrouded and the subject of much speculation: why Trump allegedly took and kept the documents.

“That the classified materials at issue in this case were taken from the White House and retained at Mar-a-Lago is not in dispute,” Smith’s office said.

It then added that “what is in dispute is how that occurred, why it occurred, what Trump knew, and what Trump intended in retaining them — all issues that the Government will prove at trial primarily with unclassified evidence.”

*snip*

[gratuitous]

1. Part of the how that occurred was the defendant's deep self-delusion that he hadn't lost

The defendant dithered and obfuscated and lied and finally set an armed mob loose on the Capitol to feed his delusion that he hadn't gotten creamed in the 2020 election. When the time to move out couldn't be put off any longer, he told his flunkies to just gather up anything that wasn't nailed down and ship it off to one of his properties.

[Frasier Balzov]

8. No, he knew he lost and admitted it.

He was just a sore loser.

[Demobrat]

14. I'm sure he was able to convince himself at times

that he hadn’t really lost.

[Cha]

21. Exactly traitor is a Sociopthic

Psychotic inbred Liar.

[Bev54]

17. There was no delusion, strictly his willful act of stealing documents for his own gain.

[KPN]

2. The ratchet turns ...

[Joinfortmill]

3. This is big. Thanks for posting.

[RainCaster]

4. That is an interesting turn of events

Got the popcorn

[MorbidButterflyTat]

5. Interesting...........

It then added that “what is in dispute is how that occurred, why it occurred, what Trump knew, and what Trump intended in retaining them — all issues that the Government will prove at trial primarily with unclassified evidence.”

Can't wait!

[usonian]

6. Great detective work. (*)

how that occurred, why it occurred, what Trump knew, and what Trump intended in retaining them

Well, that gets to the heart of it, and many here have been wondering and speculating. Those are questions of the century (so far) and besides making the necessary trial points, will open everyone's eyes, even those who cover their eyes, to the machinations and motives of Traitor-One.

To me, accountability is job one.

(*) Worthy of another.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218348198#post16

[calimary]

7. Oooooh Yeah!!!

When do they take him into custody? At this point, that’s pretty much all I want to know.

[spanone]

9. K&R

[BarbD]

10. Wow!

[Lonestarblue]

11. The other thing I'd like to know is who he sold our secret intelligence to.

That would probably be classified, though, so we most likely will never learn that.

[Duppers]

22. BINGO! THIS ☝️

He always has a monetary motive.

[senseandsensibility]

12. Good find!

No more delays. The trial needs to start.

[burrowowl]

13. Kick

[PortTack]

15. Sweet!

[onenote]

16. I think people may be reading too much into this

The relevant element of a Section 793( e ) violation discussed by Smith is as follows: "willfully retains the same and fails to deliver it to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it"

The only "intent" that Smith needs to prove is that Trump intended to keep the documents. He doesn't need to prove, and I doubt he will, exactly what Trump planned to do with the documents beyond keeping them and not returning them.

[triron]

24. And a few others are downplaying it.

[FakeNoose]

18. Jared Kushner must be talking to the prosecutors now

It's either Jared, or it's Mark Meadows.

[Kid Berwyn]

19. "They're my documents."

From WaPo via Esquire:

Trump grew angry this spring after a House Oversight Committee investigation was launched, telling aides they’d “screwed up” the situation, according to people who heard his comments. “They’re my documents,” Trump said, according to an aide who spoke to him[…]Within Trump’s orbit, there have been months of dueling accusations and theories about who may be cooperating with the federal government. Some of the former president’s closest aides have continued to work with Trump even as they have seen FBI agents show up at their houses to question them and serve subpoenas.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a41611074/trump-boxes-fbi/

[liberalla]

20. "Tantalizing" is the perfect descriptor for this little nugget.

I can't wait for this trial to begin. Thank you.

[Takket]

23. "what Trump intended in retaining them"

that's what I want to know... and i don't think it was limited to "he wanted to show what a big boy he is by showing the documents at parties"

Who got what, and for what in exchange. Saudi Arabia didn't cough up two billion dollars to invest in a failed real estate slum lord who's father in law wasn't the president anymore. They got something for that money.

[lastlib]

25. Exactly! And they wouldn't pay that much...

for crumbs and tidbits. They had to have gotten some serious scoop for that much moolah. We, the people, need to know what the quid pro quo was!

[Fix The Stupid]

26. ...trial primarily with unclassified evidence."

Dumb question...does that mean this evidence is already out in the public? This stuff has been released to the masses already?

Or does this just mean the evidence they will bring at trial is not top-secret?

[CrispyQ]

29. I think it means they are going to use his texts, emails, & words as evidence.

There may also be others discussing his intent among themselves? IDK if that would be allowed, but I'm thinking the man's big mouth is gonna be his downfall. His need to brag or whine will be what does him in.

It can't happen to soon!

[Martin68]

27. If they can do that, it will be a game changer.

[republianmushroom]

28. Thank you, Jack and team