On June 9, 2023 a federal indictment was unsealed that accused former President Donald Trump of lying 37 times and planning to possess classified documents he knew were classified, the indictment alleges that Trump took possession of the documents after he left office and then lied to federal investigators about how he obtained them, the charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The indictment is the culmination of a two year investigation by the Department of Justice into Trump’s handling of classified documents, The investigation was launched after the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) discovered that Trump took boxes of classified documents with him when he left the White House in January 2021, NARA officials repeatedly asked Trump to return the documents but he refused.
The indictment alleges that Trump took the documents into his possession knowing they were classified, the documents included handwritten notes classified intelligence reports and classified meeting schedules, Trump allegedly lied to investigators about how he obtained the documents stating that he obtained them from Rudy Giuliani his personal attorney.
The indictment is a major development in the ongoing investigation of Trump’s conduct, it is the first time Trump has been charged with a crime since leaving office, the allegations could have serious implications for Trump’s future including the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.
Trump has denied the charges against him calling them a political witch hunt, he also vowed to fight the allegations in court.