Former President Donald Trump has been hit with a federal indictment, unsealed on Friday, detailing 37 felony charges against him. The charges allege that Trump illegally took top-secret military documents to his Mar-a-Lago estate and schemed to hide the records from federal investigators. As this timeline unfolds, people are increasingly interested in understanding the events leading up to this indictment.
Moving Boxes to Mar-a-Lago
On January 20, 2021, as Trump leaves the White House, he directs the movement of storage boxes to Mar-a-Lago. These boxes, packed by Trump and his White House staff, contain not only mementos from his time in office but also hundreds of classified documents that he was not authorized to possess.
Violation of Federal Laws
Under the Presidential Records Act, presidential records are considered federal property and must be turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration. Multiple federal laws govern the handling of classified and sensitive documents, making it a crime to remove such material and keep it in an unauthorized location.
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Storage and Concealment
The boxes brought from the White House are stored in Mar-a-Lago’s ballrooms and later moved to the business center and even a bathroom and shower. Some boxes are also taken to Trump’s summer residence in Bedminster, New Jersey.
National Archives’ Demands
In May 2021, the National Archives realizes that some documents from Trump’s presidency may be missing and asks him to turn over any presidential records he may have kept. Subsequent demands are made, and in June 2021, the National Archives warns Trump that they will refer the matter to the Justice Department if he does not comply.
Discovery of Classified Documents
In December 2021, several boxes of records are found to have fallen in the storage room at Mar-a-Lago, spilling papers onto the floor. Among them is a document with a “SECRET” intelligence marking. The National Archives continues to demand the missing records, and in January 2022, Trump turns over 15 boxes containing 197 documents with classified markings.
Referral to Justice Department
In February 2022, the National Archives refers the matter to the Justice Department after a preliminary review finds numerous classified documents in the boxes. The Justice Department opens an investigation, and in April 2022, a grand jury investigation begins.
Attempts to Withhold Documents
Throughout the investigation, Trump’s lawyers request extensions and argue for privilege. However, in June 2022, additional classified documents are found in the storage room, and the FBI seizes them. Trump’s attempts to avoid turning over documents and his alleged involvement in concealing them raise further legal concerns.
Search of Mar-a-Lago
In August 2022, the FBI obtains a warrant to search Mar-a-Lago, citing probable cause that more presidential records and classified documents are being stored there. The search results in the seizure of 102 classified documents, raising questions about the thoroughness of the initial search and the truthfulness of representations made by Trump’s legal team.
Indictment and Announcement
Finally, on June 8, 2023, a grand jury indicts Trump and his employee, Walt Nauta. Trump announces the indictment on his Truth Social platform, sparking widespread attention and discussions about the implications of these charges.
As the legal process unfolds, the indictment and timeline shed light on the alleged mishandling and concealment of classified documents, adding to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency.
