DOJ case for obstruction against Trump (18 USC 1519) just got a lot stronger.
"Trump asked one of his lawyers to tell [Archives] in early 2022 that Trump had returned all materials, but the lawyer declined because he was not sure the statement was true."
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
"Trump asked one of his lawyers to tell [Archives] in early 2022 that Trump had returned all materials, but the lawyer declined because he was not sure the statement was true."
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
2. "Other Trump advisers also encouraged [Alex] Cannon [the lawyer] not to make such a definitive statement."
reporting by @jdawsey1 @JaxAlemany
(h/t @JRubinBlogger)
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
reporting by @jdawsey1 @JaxAlemany
(h/t @JRubinBlogger)
washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
3. Trump also "asked his team to release a statement he had dictated."
It would have said he returned "everything" the Archives requested.
The "statement was dictated by Trump but never released ... over concerns by some of his team that it was not accurate."
It would have said he returned "everything" the Archives requested.
The "statement was dictated by Trump but never released ... over concerns by some of his team that it was not accurate."
4. It gets worse
Feb 2022: Archives General Counsel "had been asking the Trump team to attest that all relevant documents had been returned."
A refusal to attest (after return of docs in January) is further evidence of intentionally and knowingly withholding documents.
Feb 2022: Archives General Counsel "had been asking the Trump team to attest that all relevant documents had been returned."
A refusal to attest (after return of docs in January) is further evidence of intentionally and knowingly withholding documents.
5. What did Trump do when his lawyer, who had worked for Trump for 7 years, refused to tell the Archives a false statement?
"Soured his relationship with Trump"
The lawyer "was soon cut out of the documents-related discussions."
"Soured his relationship with Trump"
The lawyer "was soon cut out of the documents-related discussions."
6. Looks like all these members were under no illusions that documents had been 'declassified.'
Lawyer would not look at docs, because did not have security clearance.
Advised others not to do so because of personal risk of looking at classified materials.
Lawyer would not look at docs, because did not have security clearance.
Advised others not to do so because of personal risk of looking at classified materials.
7/8. Finally, the Post is correct that "if Trump continued to pressure aides to make false statements even after learning the Justice Department was involved in retrieving the documents, authorities could see those efforts as an attempt to obstruct their investigation."
But ...
But ...
8/8. The other part of 18 USC 1519 does not depend on an existing investigation.
It refers to "impede, obstruct, or influence the ... proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States" (eg National Archives).
It refers to "impede, obstruct, or influence the ... proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States" (eg National Archives).
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