Hours after the release of a compelling audio tape wherein Donald Trump discusses a classified document that he retained after leaving office, the former president has escalated his criticisms of the special counsel overseeing the investigation that ultimately led to Trump’s groundbreaking indictment.
In a strongly-worded social media post on Tuesday morning, Trump expressed his frustration with the criminal charges leveled against him in federal court and requested that “somebody” clarify his stance to special counsel Jack Smith, as well as “his family and friends.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice refrained from commenting on Trump’s latest attack against Smith, who was chosen last year to lead numerous criminal investigations involving the ex-president.
Trump has been indicted on charges relating to his alleged mishandling of classified documents and his efforts to withhold them from the government upon leaving office. Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty to 37 counts, including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
In his post, Trump argued that, “as the president of the United States, I am subject to the Presidential Records Act,” in contrast to the 31 counts against him that cite the Espionage Act. Fact-checkers have challenged Trump’s interpretation of both laws.
This statement on Truth Social is not the first occasion where Trump has referred to Smith’s personal circle. On the day of his arraignment in federal court in Florida, the former president claimed that Smith is a “Trump Hater,” along with his friends and family. Additionally, he baselessly contended that the materials found within the records boxes central to the classified documents case were likely “planted.”
Trump’s recent post followed the release by CNN of an audio recording from a July 2021 meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey, in which he mentions a “highly confidential” and “secret” document. NBC News has since obtained the recording.
Trump stated in the tape, which was recorded months after his departure from the White House, that the military provided him with the document, which relates to a plan of attack on Iran.
“While I was president, I had the authority to declassify it. But now I can’t,” he remarked on the recording.
Reportedly, Trump was conversing with a writer and publisher working on a book about former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows during this discussion. Two of Trump’s staff members were also present.
According to the indictment, none of them possessed security clearances or a legitimate need to access the classified information referred to by Trump, as evidenced by a transcript of the recording.
During a recent interview with Fox News, Trump denied the existence of the document and claimed that he was referring to “newspaper stories, magazine stories, and articles.”
When asked about the leaked audio in a subsequent interview, Trump reiterated his stance on the matter, stating, “I made it very clear – I had a whole desk full of various papers, mostly newspaper articles, magazine copies, different plans, and stories covering a wide range of subjects. What was said is perfectly fine.”
“We did nothing wrong. It’s all a complete hoax,” Trump assured Fox.
Trump’s attacks on Smith align with his consistent approach to confronting both his legal and political adversaries.
He has frequently launched rhetorical attacks against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is currently leading a separate, state-level criminal prosecution against Trump regarding hush money payments made before the 2016 presidential election.
In April, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in that particular case. Prior to his court appearance in Manhattan, Trump took aim at the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, accusing him and his family of being “Trump haters.”
Smith currently oversees a separate investigation into the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot and the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential term. No charges have been filed as of yet regarding this ongoing investigation.
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