Special Counsel Jack Smith unsealed a 37-count indictment against former President Donald Trump on Friday.
The charges allege that Trump unlawfully kept classified documents, including nuclear secrets and military vulnerabilities. The indictment says sensitive material was found in boxes at his Mar-a-Lago home.
You can read the full document here.
The 49-page document alleged Trump “personally” was involved in the transport of the documents from the White House to Florida.
Among the 37 charges, 31 were related to the retention of defense documents. Those included one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count related to alleged false statements.
Smith made public comments about his investigation and indictment at 2 p.m. CT Friday.
“We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone,” Smith said. “That’s what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more and nothing less.”
Smith urged Americans to read the indictment.
“I invite everyone to read it in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged,” Smith said.
Smith said Trump, who was elected in 2016 and defeated in a re-election bid in 2020, was presumed to be innocent.
“It’s very important for me to note that the defendants in this case must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. To that end, my office will seek a speedy trial in this matter, consistent with the public interest and the rights of the accused.”
