Two sources acquainted with the subject claim that in June, one of Donald Trump's lawyers signed a letter stating that no more confidential documents were kept at the ex-US President's Mar-a-Lago residence.
The letter, signed by the lawyer, prompts new inquiries about the number of individuals who might be legally exposed in the current inquiry into handling sensitive information during Trump's tenure as president, according to a report from CNN.
When the FBI carried out a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week, investigators removed 11 sets of classified documents, some of which were labeled as "top secret/SCI," one of the highest classification levels.
The inventory list contradicts the letter from Trump's lawyer, which explain why prosecutors cited an obstruction law in their request for a search warrant if they removed that sensitive information after the letter was delivered.
The sources did not specify when or who signed the letter. It was a part of an ongoing discussion about the matter with the Department of Justice. The existence of the letter was originally validated by the New York Times.
After the FBI conducted an extraordinary raid on former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Monday, the court unsealed search documents on Friday.
The FBI was looking for proof connected to Trump's suspected improper handling of classified material, as per a report from ABC News.
It's thought to be the first time a federal agency has raided a president of the United States' present or prior home. Trump and other Republicans blasted the FBI raid. They said it was a politicized attack and authorities should give an explanation for it. Donald Trump rejects any misconduct.
Trump Spokesperson Blasts 'Unprecedented' Search
Investigators gathered information, including from a witness, during a meeting in June at Mar-a-Lago where Justice officials left with classified information. This evidence led investigators to assume that there was still more classified information among the documents kept at the facility.
Federal investigators, including Jay Bratt, the head of the Justice Department's counterintelligence and export control unit, attended the June meeting along with Trump attorneys Christina Bobb and Evan Corcoran, according to prior reports from CNN.
According to a different source, officials of Trump told the investigators at the meeting in June that Trump had declassified every document.
Taylor Budowich, a spokesperson for Trump, told CNN that "just like every Democrat-fabricated witch hunt previously," the media is eager to run with "suggestive leaks, anonymous sources, and no hard facts" to support this "unprecedented" and pointless raid.
An ex-national security official claimed Trump frequently inquired about keeping confidential documents.
John Bolton, a former national security adviser, claimed that former President Trump frequently requested permission from his intelligence briefers to keep classified materials presented to him. Bolton stated that he was "worried" by Trump's actions, per Fox News.
At least 15 boxes of White House records, some of which were classified, were retrieved from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, according to the National Archives, which is in charge of gathering and organizing presidential material.
Legislators Call for 'Damage Assessment' of the Mar-a-Lago Raid
In other updates, two prominent House members wrote a three-page letter to the director of National Intelligence on Saturday requesting an "immediate review and "damage assessment" of the possible impact on the national security of claims that highly sensitive documents had been found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property.
In a letter to National Intelligence director Avril Haines, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chair of the House Oversight Committee, stated that Trump's action has "potentially put our national security at grave risk" and that the matter requires a "full review."
Related Article: FBI Search Warrant Unsealed: Donald Trump's Home Raided for Potential Violation of Espionage Act, Obstruction of Justice
