The Justice Department federally indicted former United States President Donald Trump
The decision was made over the Republican businessman's handling of classified documents he took from the White House
A source familiar with the matter said that the indictment includes seven charges, one of which is a conspiracy charge
The Justice Department has made the momentous decision of lodging federal criminal charges against former United States President Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents taken from the White House.
A source familiar with the matter who spoke under the condition of anonymity said that the Republican businessman has been charged with seven counts in the indictment. Another source noted that at least one of the charges against the former president will be a conspiracy charge.
Donald Trump Federally Indicted
The special counsel has been investigating the former president's handling of classified documents that were discovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after he left office in January 2021. The probe also seeks potential obstruction of the investigation and the government's efforts to retrieve the sensitive materials, as per CNN.
In his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that he was informed by the Justice Department that he was indicted. He added that officials told him he was "summoned to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Miami on Tuesday, at 3:00 p.m."
The former president continued to say that the "corrupt Biden administration" has informed his attorneys that he was indicted. He said that the decision was made seemingly over the "Boxes Hoax."
The special counsel declined to comment regarding the latest development in the case and the Justice Department is now moving additional resources to Miami ahead of Trump's anticipated appearance.
The filing is the first time in the history of the United States that a former president has faced federal charges. It also places the country in an extraordinary position given Trump's status not only as a former president but also as a front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to the New York Times.
The Culmination of Special Counsel Investigation
Trump could potentially face off against United States President Joe Biden in the 2024 elections but the Democratic leader's administration is now seeking to convict his possible rival. The charges against the former president include willfully retaining national defense secrets in violation of the Espionage Act and making false statements.
The office of special counsel Jack Smith was the one that filed the indictment two months after New York prosecutors filed more than 30 felony charges against the Republican businessman. These were related to a hush-money payment that was made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
In his Truth Social post, Trump said that it was unbelievable that such a thing could happen to a former president of the United States. He claims that it marks a dark day for the country, saying that the nation is now in a "serious and rapid decline."
The classified documents related to the latest indictment included roughly 11,000 materials that the FBI seized, with around 100 of them being marked classified. Furthermore, some of the materials were labeled top secret, said BBC.
