Yeah it does.
FBI Search and Seizure at Trump's Mar-A-Lago Residence, August 8, 2022, Case Dismissed July 15, 2024
It doesn’t do either of these things. Walk me through your thought process on either or both.
There is proof of both of those things, but this tape ain’t it.
I reluctantly agree with you halfway. What Reuters said in the article was:
Trump’s remarks indicated he would like to share the information but was aware of the limitations on his ability to declassify documents after leaving office, two sources told CNN.
Note that it says, “after leaving office”. Trump has claimed in the past that he declassified the confiscated documents prior to leaving office. So, this doesn’t contradict his “Presidential Jedi Mind Trick” claim to Hannity that the President of the United States can declassify them with his mind.
But, it does undermine his claim that he did not possess any classified documents from the White House after the end of his presidency. He claimed beforehand that everything he took had been declassified beforehand. That is contradicted by other things said in the Reuters article.
The recording shows Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, understood he retained classified material after he left the White House in 2021, according to the cable television network.
The recording shows Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, understood he retained classified material after he left the White House in 2021, according to the cable television network.
So, I do agree that none of this shows that Trump knew he couldn’t declassify things at will while POTUS. But it does show that he knew that he took things that were still classified after his presidency, which he has otherwise claimed he didn’t do.
Whether he can or can’t is a separate issue. This recording is direct evidence that he neglected to do so, at least in the case of this document.
Maybe. If they can tie it to an actual document.
Imagine for a moment that you’re a bullshitter and for some reason you were trying to look important by claiming that you possess super secret documents. However, you left all your secret docs at your other resort (as one does).
Well, you’ve already waved some papers in your friends’ faces, but you can’t show them to your friends because these aren’t actually classified docs. So what’s a bullshitter to do? Well, the main weapon in the bullshitter’s arsenal is bullshit, so you make up some bullshit reason for not being able to show them the papers you’re using as a prop.
Without being able to tie the tape to an actual classified document, we can’t know that Trump wasn’t just bullshitting on the tape.
The idea that the words that come out of Trump’s mouth could be used to prove what he knew or believed is ridiculous. He could have been bullshitting. Without some other corroboration, you just have Trump’s words and Trump’s words are not burdened by factualness or logical consistency.
To add to @Lance_Turbo ’s excellent post:
Now there’s options. Maybe Trump had the document and shredded it. Or maybe he gave it to a cohort to hide. Or maybe he’s hidden it so well his lawyers can’t find (although that option assumes a degree of Trumpian competence).
Or maybe the document never existed and he was just bullshittin’.
Unless and until there’s testimony from a witness about this document, I’m afraid the recording doesn’t prove much.
I was under the impression that even mentioning the document exists is verboten.
So if Trump is charged with espionage and his defense claims that Trump would never knowingly take anything that was classified after he was president, this recording would not be admissible in court to dispute that claim?
(IANAL so asking for clarification.)
It might be admissible, but it wouldn’t be useful without some link to an actual document.
They have a bunch of other rock solid evidence to dispute such a claim that doesn’t rely on taking Trump at his word.
Alex Jones Defense:
Your honor, my client claimed he invented the phrase “Prime the Pump” in an interview with The Economist. I think it’s well established that he exaggerates. No reasonable person would believe him.
My understanding is that there are a lot of people in jail because they bragged about criminal behavior that they may not have actually committed. I could be wrong.
My understanding is that people who somehow bragged their way into jail for crimes they didn’t commit have the world’s shittiest lawyers. I don’t think I’m wrong.
That makes sense
Then in that case, Trump really is doomed.
something is happening… trump lawyers seen going into department of justice according to cnn.
the tea leaf readers have been saying that they expect smith to make his move in days to weeks.
to chill or not to chill, the champagne believes this to be the question.
the grand jury is meeting regarding this case. they are hearing more evidence. they haven’t met in quite some time.
some are thinking the meeting is related to the letter to garland from his lawyers.
the tea leaves are swirling.
I certainly hope not. That goofy letter shouldn’t even be acknowledged.
Trump’s lawyers are meeting with DOJ personnel, but it isn’t Merrick Garland and it isn’t his second in command, Lisa Monaco. Reporting is that Garland will not meet with Trump’s lawyers, so people can stop worrying about that.
I won’t stop worrying until he’s in the cold, cold ground.
I’d rather like a cold, empty cell myself. The ground would be escaping justice. Like his old buddy Epstein.