28-7-2023 (WASHINGTON) Former President Donald Trump responded on Thursday to the latest federal charges announced against him as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump decried the charges, labeling them as “prosecutorial misconduct” on an unprecedented level. He suggested that the investigation was politically motivated, emphasizing that the situation would be different if he were not leading in various polls and set to be the Republican nominee again.
Expressing hope that the Republican Party would take action on the matter, Trump voiced his concern over the unfolding legal developments.
The superseding indictment, filed in a federal court in Florida, adds to the 37 charges, including Espionage Act violations, that the former president was already facing. Last month, Trump had pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The new indictment alleges that Trump ordered the deletion of a computer server containing incriminating security camera footage, further complicating his legal situation.
Despite facing multiple indictments and the possibility of more criminal charges, Trump maintains his position as the front-runner in the GOP primary race.
Trump’s Republican allies, including House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), have come forward to defend him, dismissing the investigation as a “witch hunt.”
The superseding indictment includes additional counts of willful retention of documents and obstruction of justice against Trump.
Carlos De Oliveira, the Mar-a-Lago property manager, is also named as a defendant in the case. Prosecutors allege that De Oliveira assisted Trump aide Will Nauta, who faces charges, in moving boxes of classified documents around the Florida estate.
Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty.
Amid ongoing legal proceedings, Trump’s legal team held a meeting with Smith’s investigators on Thursday, with the possibility of another indictment looming over Trump’s efforts to challenge Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
Earlier this month, Smith sent Trump a target letter, signaling that an indictment was likely, a prediction Trump acknowledged.
In addition to federal charges, Trump faces felony charges in New York related to a hush money payment scheme involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Moreover, authorities in Georgia are also considering charges against Trump over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
