Former President Donald Trump, in a recent interview with Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, strongly defended his handling of classified documents taken from the White House, asserting that he did so “very legally.” The interview came amid ongoing controversy surrounding the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022, which Trump criticized as a raid and a manifestation of corruption within the FBI.
During the conversation, Trump emphasized that his actions were in compliance with the law, contrasting his situation with that of President Joe Biden, who has also faced scrutiny over the possession of classified documents. Trump accused the justice system of bias, noting that Biden seemed to face less severe repercussions.
Prosecutors have accused Trump of improperly removing hundreds of classified documents as he vacated the White House in 2021. This led to the recovery of a significant number of documents from Mar-a-Lago in January 2022, and despite assurances from Trump’s attorney that no further classified documents remained, an additional search yielded over 100 more documents.
Special Counsel Robert Hur, in a report, delineated the differences between the cases of Trump and Biden, emphasizing Trump’s alleged obstruction of justice in contrast to Biden’s cooperation with governmental efforts to retrieve classified materials. The report suggests Biden displayed a level of transparency and cooperation that Trump did not.
Trump faces 32 counts of willful retention of national defense information, with the classified documents in question covering critical national security concerns, including U.S. nuclear capabilities. Overall, Trump is charged with 40 felony counts in the case.
In the interview, Trump unleashed criticism towards Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the prosecution efforts, labeling him as “a total animal” and suggesting Smith’s actions were politically motivated to influence the election in Biden’s favor.
Trump also highlighted the achievements of his administration, including economic milestones and military enhancements, asserting the need for a robust defense against what he perceives as unjust prosecution. He framed the legal challenges he faces as part of a broader battle against what he calls “evil people” in the justice system, relating it to past allegations of collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The interview underscores Trump’s unwavering stance on his innocence and legality of his actions regarding the classified documents, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle rooted in broader political and ideological disputes.