Prosecutors have asked a judge to take action against Trump’s lawyers for contempt of court, the Washington Post reported Thursday citing unnamed sources. If the judge approves the request, she can, for example, impose a daily fine. Broadcaster CNN reported that the application also affects Trump himself, which is why a hearing should take place this Friday.
The background, according to the newspaper, is the growing dissatisfaction of the prosecutor’s office with the behavior of the Trump team. The question is whether all classified information has really been returned to the government. The Justice Department has repeatedly asked Trump’s lawyers for written warranties. They would have refused to take out such insurance. At the same time, the team allegedly stated that all documents had been returned. According to the newspaper, the Justice Department is requiring Trump’s lawyers to designate a responsible person who can sign a corresponding statement.
The dispute over the handling of government documents has been going on for months: On August 8, the FBI’s federal police searched Trump’s private property, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and seized documents marked “Secret and among other things “Top Secret” of his tenure. Before that, the National Archives – which is responsible for storing presidential documents – had been trying for months to obtain Trump’s papers. The fact that the 76-year-old kept the documents at home could have made him a criminal offence.
It was only reported on Wednesday that at least two other classified documents had turned up in a storage unit used by Trump. A team hired by the Republican made the discovery, American media reported. The documents, which were not described in detail, were turned over to the FBI.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
