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Donald Trump indicted over classified documents case Donald Trump indicted over classified documents case
(about 1 hour later)
The charges include conspiracy, false statements and illegally retaining classified documents, says Mr Trump's attorney
Former US President Donald Trump has been charged over his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.Former US President Donald Trump has been charged over his handling of classified documents after he left the White House.
Mr Trump, 76, faces seven charges including unauthorised retention of classified files, US media reported, but the indictment is not yet public. Mr Trump, 76, faces seven charges including unauthorised retention of classified files, US media reported. The charges are not yet public.
It is the second indictment of Mr Trump and the first ever federal indictment of a former president.It is the second indictment of Mr Trump and the first ever federal indictment of a former president.
He is campaigning to make a stunning return to the White House in 2024. He is campaigning to make a return to the White House in 2024.
Follow live: Reaction as Trump faces historic second indictmentFollow live: Reaction as Trump faces historic second indictment
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said he was innocent and had been summoned to appear at a federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon. In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said he was innocent and had been summoned to appear at a federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon, where he will be arrested and hear the charges against him.
"I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States," he wrote. "I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former president of the United States," he wrote.
He added: "This is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. We are a country in serious and rapid decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!"He added: "This is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. We are a country in serious and rapid decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!"
Mr Trump's attorney Jim Trusty told CNN the former president had received details of the charges in a summons document.
He said they include conspiracy, false statements, obstruction of justice, and illegally retaining classified documents under the Espionage Act.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to comment and the indictment has not been publicly released.
An indictment is a document that sets out details of charges against a person, ensuring they have notice of alleged criminal offenses.An indictment is a document that sets out details of charges against a person, ensuring they have notice of alleged criminal offenses.
It was reported on Wednesday that a grand jury in Miami had heard evidence in the case. Meanwhile, the Secret Service will meet with local law enforcement to plan Mr Trump's journey to the courthouse in Miami in the coming days.
The Department of Justice declined to comment and the indictment has not been publicly released.
Watch: How much do you know about classified documents?Watch: How much do you know about classified documents?
Watch: How much do you know about classified documents?Watch: How much do you know about classified documents?
Special prosecutor Jack Smith has been considering evidence in the documents case since he was appointed to oversee it by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November.Special prosecutor Jack Smith has been considering evidence in the documents case since he was appointed to oversee it by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November.
Last year, Mr Trump's Florida resort Mar-a-Lago was searched and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. Some of these were labelled top secret.Last year, Mr Trump's Florida resort Mar-a-Lago was searched and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. Some of these were labelled top secret.
There were reports last week that prosecutors had obtained an audio recording of Mr Trump in which he acknowledged keeping a classified document after leaving the White House.There were reports last week that prosecutors had obtained an audio recording of Mr Trump in which he acknowledged keeping a classified document after leaving the White House.
It is against US law for federal officials - including a president - to remove or keep classified documents at an unauthorised location.It is against US law for federal officials - including a president - to remove or keep classified documents at an unauthorised location.
Legal experts said the indictment would not limit Mr Trump's ability to run for the presidency again.Legal experts said the indictment would not limit Mr Trump's ability to run for the presidency again.
"He can be indicted any number of times and it won't stop his ability to stand for office," says David Super, a professor at Georgetown University Law Centre."He can be indicted any number of times and it won't stop his ability to stand for office," says David Super, a professor at Georgetown University Law Centre.
Mr Super noted that Mr Trump could continue to run for office even if convicted in the documents case, but it remains to be seen whether the Republican Party would stand by him. Mr Super noted that Mr Trump could continue to run for office even if convicted in the documents case.
The property and reality TV mogul is currently the frontrunner among Republican candidates for the White House, according to opinion polls.
As Mr Trump issued a fundraising email with the subject line "BREAKING: INDICTED", several leading Republicans voiced their support for him.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, said it was "unconscionable for a president to indict the leading candidate opposing him".
"House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponisation of power accountable," he wrote on Twitter.
Mr Trump's rival for the 2024 nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: "We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation.
"The DeSantis administration will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias and end weaponisation once and for all," he added.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who is also in the running, said he would "commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025, and to restore the rule of law in our country".
But another candidate, Asa Hutchinson, said Mr Trump's alleged actions "should not define our nation or the Republican Party".
A separate probe into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Mr Trump lost, is also being overseen by Jack Smith, a former war crimes attorney who is known as a dogged investigator.A separate probe into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Mr Trump lost, is also being overseen by Jack Smith, a former war crimes attorney who is known as a dogged investigator.
Mr Trump became the first former president to be charged with a crime this April, after he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records over a hush-money payment to a porn star.Mr Trump became the first former president to be charged with a crime this April, after he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records over a hush-money payment to a porn star.
He faces a trial in that case in New York next year.He faces a trial in that case in New York next year.
Additional reporting by Madeline Halpert
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