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.
Another filing from Halligan seeking to clarify the grand jury proceedings that have been the focus of scrutiny over recent days and really, since day one in this case—as the just-filed Transcript of Return of Grand Jury Indictment Proceedings shows.
For reference, here are the "no true bill" 3-count and the "true bill" 2-count indictments.
As you can see, Count Two and, uh, the other Count Two of the 3-count are IDENTICAL to Count One and Count Two of the 2-count.
Both were filed, as both were presented in open court.
The notice accompanying the transcript says
"The official transcript of the September 25, 2025, proceedings before Magistrate Judge Vaala conclusively refutes [the] claim [that there was an issue with the grand jury voting process] and establishes that the grand jury voted on—and true-billed—the two-count indictment."
NEW filing by US Attorney Halligan clarifies that "the foreperson of the grand jury 'reported that 12 or more grand jurors did not concur in finding an indictment' as to proposed 'Count 1 only,'" but did concur on Counts 2 & 3.
The 3-count indictment was edited into a 2-count indictment, numbers adjusted, and the foreperson signed the new one.
"Fed. R. Crim. P. [] Rule 6 simply does not require a successive-voting procedure where there is a mixed return from the grand jury on a multi-count indictment."
It appears, based on filings and testimony from Halligan and her office, that the two-count indictment against James Comey was not properly presented and returned by the full grand jury.