Trump Claims Classified Documents Taken 'Very Legally,' Denies Hiding Them

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on charges related to the retention of classified documents after leaving office. The case alleges that Trump willfully retained sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructed efforts by the U.S. government to recover them. In response to the charges, Trump has claimed that he took the documents legally and compared his situation to that of former President Joe Biden, who also kept classified documents from his time in office. However, Special Counsel Robert Hur has indicated that the two cases differ, particularly noting that Trump's actions included obstruction of justice.

Trump's legal team is expected to present arguments in a federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, asserting that he had the right to keep the classified documents, designating them as “personal” under a presidential record law. This stance is contested by prosecutors, who argue that the documents could not be considered personal records. The hearing will likely probe the judge's reaction to Trump's legal claims in the ongoing criminal case. Trump, who is currently campaigning as the Republican candidate against Democratic President Joe Biden, could potentially end two federal cases if he wins the upcoming election. The trial's schedule is currently uncertain.