Thread by @emptywheel

WaPo still seems unaware that DOJ confirmed it had found 3 classified docs in a desk drawer in Trump's office, including one "compiled" with docs that post-date Trump's WH departure. That's been public for 6 months.

washingtonpost.com/national-secur…

So let's unpack what this story really says. One of the most important details is that the GJ hasn't sat since May 5, 3 Fridays ago.

That means two of the last live bodies the GJ have seen are Matthews Calamari Sr and Jr.

They were asked why Walt Nauta called after DOJ sent a subpoena for surveillance footage.

Want your additional instance of obstruction? There ya go!

theguardian.com/us-news/2023/m…

But we also know that NARA handed over docs on Trump being lectured about classification yesterday.

As I noted when CNN reported that, you don't need these letters for an obstruction investigation.

edition.cnn.com/2023/05/17/pol…

This WaPo story (as an earlier one) likes to imply this is an obstruction investigation. It reads "obstruction obstruction obstruction mishandling obstruction obstruction obstruction obstruction."

As noted, these guys have done this before.
emptywheel.net/2023/04/03/the…

This is another instance where WaPo is struggling to describe Espionage Act evidence as obstruction evidence.

Showing people not cleared to see docs is a more serious violation of 18 USC 793(e).

And that's if they're nice Americans who love their country.

Here's a detail that really important for weedy reasons. Calamaris were interviewed abt gaps in surveillance footage. We can now be sure (we already were, but whatev) that those gaps don't include June 2.

I've proposed the gaps may hide something more serious than obstruction.

Maybe the gap in the surveillance footage is from this "dress rehearsal."

That might explain why it would show up in a court opinion.

But THAT might explain why DOJ asked for the business records.

This, tho, is the most intriguing bit in the story.

Fresh off creating subpoena compliance theater, Nauta loaded up the SUV where Trump was hosting [bum bum BUM] the Saudis.

Remember: Boris Epshtyen tried to obstruct the Bedminster search.