Prosecutors Prepared to File Charges Against Trump for Obstruction of Law and Espionage
The atmosphere in Washington D.C. is filled with anticipation and a literal haze of smoke. Despite claims by Fox that soot particles are healthy, the city buzzes with news surrounding Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into former President Donald Trump. Recent reports suggest that the Justice Department is poised to present an indictment to a grand jury, charging Trump with violating the Espionage Act (18 USC § 793).
This charge specifically focuses on Trump’s alleged involvement in the “gathering, transmitting, or losing” of national defense-related information, rather than classified information, strategically preventing him from using his presidential powers to declassify documents. Journalist Andrew Feinberg provides insights into this development.
Details of the Indictment:
According to Feinberg’s article, Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, is expected to testify under limited immunity and eventually plead guilty to unspecified federal crimes. However, Meadows’ attorney, George Terwilliger, dismisses these claims as “complete rubbish,” although other media outlets have confirmed Meadows’ testimony after Judge Beryl Howell denied Trump’s attempt to assert executive privilege and block it.
Ongoing Investigations in Florida:
The focus of the investigations is not limited to Washington D.C. In Florida, a second grand jury has been convened to examine the documents in question. The Washington Post reports that most charges related to potentially obstructive behavior are likely to be brought in federal court in Florida, as this is where the majority of such activities allegedly took place. Jay Bratt, head of the Justice Department’s counterintelligence division, conducted an interrogation in Miami, with witnesses, including longtime Trump aide Taylor Budovic.
Trump’s Reactions and Social Media Presence:
Trump’s reactions and statements on his new social media platform, Truth Social, serve as an unofficial barometer for tracking the progress of the investigation. However, Trump’s default setting appears to be “ranting,” potentially skewing the accuracy of his remarks. On one occasion, Trump argued that he had not been informed of any charges against him, claiming innocence and expressing long-held beliefs that he was the target of the Department of Justice and the FBI. Nevertheless, this does not explicitly deny the report that Trump’s lawyers were informed on Monday that he is indeed a target of the investigation.
Misleading Citations and Fact-Checking:
Trump recently published an unsourced citation suggesting support for his contention that presidents have broad powers to declassify information. However, this citation appears to be linked to a fact-checking article published by the American Bar Association (ABA), which contradicts Trump’s theory. The ABA article highlights the need for a formal declassification procedure, emphasizing that officials must follow established protocols to ensure transparency and accountability.
Attorney’s Assertion and Expectations:
Tim Parlatore, a former member of Trump’s legal team, who recently resigned, believes that any indictment related to the documents case will be dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. He suggests that a conservative journalist like John Solomon will likely provide further analysis once more information becomes available.
Conclusion:
As the investigation continues to unfold, the air of anticipation in D.C. remains palpable. Only time will reveal the true outcome as more information emerges and the smoke clears.
