Trump May be in Even More Legal Trouble over Mar-A-Lago
A Washington Post report suggests a possible basis for an obstruction of justice charge
Donald Trump can’t get a break. Though plagued by multiple legal scandals, the former president’s legal woes seem to be getting worse and worse. First came an indictment from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brag, and now, The Washington Post reports that Trump may have exposed himself to a possible obstruction charge, though whether or not prosecutors will actively pursue such charges remains unclear.
According to The Washington Post:
Investigators now suspect, based on witness statements, security camera footage, and other documentary evidence, that boxes including classified material were moved from a Mar-a-Lago storage area after the subpoena was served, and that Trump personally examined at least some of those boxes, these people said. While Trump’s team returned some documents with classified markings in response to the subpoena, a later FBI search found more than 100 additional classified items that had not been turned over.
Such revelations, if strongly supported, could be disastrous for the Trump administration as it bolsters another piece of the puzzle held onto by prosecutors as they seek to determine if Trump intentionally withheld documents after a subpoena was issued against the former president.
Previously, the Post reported that Trump’s valet, Walt Nauta, told law enforcement that he moved documents around Mar-A-Lago on Trump’s orders, suggesting that the former president may have attempted to hide the documents from a potential search. Additional video evidence of the premises supports the claim.
While far from the only piece of evidence that may support an obstruction charge, the fact that investigators are looking into Trump’s alleged knowledge of the illegality of the documents being held in the first place, combined with the evidence that Trump personally handled those documents means that the former president may face additional charges as the evidence of his intent grows.
While not as high profile as in Manhattan, the case against Trump at Mar-A-Lago could hold more serious legal consequences for Trump and, if the case proceeds, could threaten his presidential bid.