One explanation for this reclassification that I have seen offered in a few places is that DOJ set Trump up by reclassifying it, knowing that he had a copy.
This is at least partially based on the timing of Trump's back and forth with NARA and DOJ over docs stored at MAL.
I get why pple would jump to that take, but I don't think it holds up.
Here is the timeline of the Trump-NARA-DOJ.
DOJ was already involved before this doc got reclassified.
And nowhere, that I have seen, has it been argued by DOJ or NARA that Trump had docs that were reclassified. I think they would have mentioned that in the court filings somewhere by now.
Besides, the President can and DID declassify this document. It was published.
So I do not think this would be the "Gotcha, Orange Man!" trick that a few folks seem to think it would be.
So then, why has this document been reclassified?
Clues and indicators as to why are on and in the document itself.
NSICG = National Security Information
Classification Guide
So, knowing and understanding all of this, lets read the redacted and unredacted versions again.
The doc is referencing Steele and Burrows of Orbis meeting with FBI and apologizing for running to the media with the Dossier.
Steele and Burrows say they did so because they were "riding two horses," one was the FBI and one was their client.
That client, was Hillary Clinton and they chose her.
So, to RECLASSIFY this document, something MUST be going on with either Steele, Burrows, Orbis, HRC, the FBI agents at this meeting, or a combo thereof.
Also, if you want to penalize people burning flags, any flag, just enforce laws and ordinances already on the books against burning anything on public property without a permit.
🧵Update on DOJ's efforts to unseal Epstein and Maxwell grand jury material:
Judge Berman has DENIED DOJ's motion to unseal the grand jury materials in the Epstein case.
The reasons for the denial are the same as in Maxwell—no exceptions to Rule 6e and not a "special circumstance" case.
A judge CANNOT unseal grand jury materials UNLESS an exception under Rule 6e is met OR the case can be qualified as a "special circumstance" case.
In my thread on the denial to unseal grand jury materials in Maxwell I broke down the reasons for that denial and they are largely the same in this case.
According to an HPSCI whistleblower 302, and my own sleuthing, the "system" for leaking classified information to media was "established" by Minority Staff Director Michael Bahar.
**That's if I am correct on what's under the redaction block.**
In February of 2023 I wrote an article about Durham being assigned a media leak investigation.
Thanks to recent declassified docs, we now know that investigation was called "Tropic Vortex."
My article traced several subjects: the leaks investigations, the NYT engaging in a court battle against DOJ, Renteria memo, and Special Counsel Durham's efforts to investigate the Russian memoranda.
Thanks to recently declassified pages of the Durham Report and the declassified documents the FBI just turned over to the House, we now know a lot more about these efforts.
And the future shock I mentioned in the title of the article—it's here.