Trump claims he held onto classified document boxes due to their ‘personal contents’.

Former President Donald Trump Defends Keeping Classified Documents

“Like every other president, I take things out,” Trump told Fox News on Monday. “In my case, I took it out pretty much in a hurry, but people packed it up, and we left. And I had clothing in there. I had all sorts of personal items.”

Former President Donald Trump has recently come under scrutiny for keeping boxes of classified documents. However, he has defended his actions, claiming that he needed time to sort through them because they contained personal items, including his beloved golf shirts.

During an interview with host Bret Baier on Fox News, Trump expressed his desire to go through the boxes and retrieve his personal belongings before handing them over to the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA). He explained that he was very busy during his departure from the White House and wanted to ensure that he had the opportunity to properly organize his personal items.

Trump also emphasized that he believes the documents case should not be treated as a criminal matter. He asserted that he has the power to declassify the material under the Presidential Records Act and stated that he is not concerned about the ongoing investigation.

Furthermore, Trump took the opportunity to criticize his former attorney general, Bill Barr, who has been vocal about his disagreements with the former president. Trump accused Barr of being a coward and claimed that he fired him, contrary to Barr’s assertion that he resigned.

Trump’s Priorities and Future Plans

Looking ahead, Trump outlined his priorities for a potential second term, including addressing the economy, inflation, border security, energy independence, woke military policies, and the country’s standing abroad. However, he declined to commit to militarily defending Taiwan, citing the need for negotiation leverage with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Trump acknowledged the need to be “less combative” if he were to win a second term. However, he expressed frustration with news outlets, which he believes are “extremely dishonest” and hinder his ability to convey his message effectively.

When questioned about his strategy to court independent women voters, Trump focused on defending his previous election results and stated that his family, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, would not return to the White House due to the toll it took on them.

Legal Proceedings and Protective Order

Donald Trump was recently indicted on multiple federal felony counts related to the alleged illegal retention and concealment of national defense information, as well as obstruction of the Justice Department’s investigation into the documents. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Miami.

A federal judge has approved a protective order sought by the special counsel, which restricts Trump and his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, from retaining and sharing evidence without court permission. The order also limits Trump’s access to the material. The defense did not object to the order.

Despite these legal challenges, Trump remains steadfast in his defense and confident in his ability to navigate the ongoing investigation.

Source: The Washington Examiner