An unnamed associate of former President Donald Trump advised him to return classified documents to the National Archives that were being held at Mar-A-Lago almost a year before the FBI searched his Florida home. This information was revealed in legal filings from prosecutors that were unsealed on Monday, which detailed multiple warnings given to Trump about the documents years before he was indicted on charges related to retaining national security materials. The associate, identified as “Person 16” in the filings, informed Trump in November 2021 to return all the documents and cautioned him not to give prosecutors a reason to indict him, to which Trump responded in a manner described as “weird.”
Despite efforts to convince Trump to return the documents, only 15 out of the 50 boxes of materials were actually returned to the National Archives. The associate could not confirm if Trump intentionally kept the boxes, but mentioned that a decision was made not to return all of them. Additionally, it was suggested that one of Trump’s children was asked to speak to him regarding the return of the documents. The associate, fearing repercussions in the “Trump world,” requested that their interview with the FBI not be recorded.
In a surprising revelation, it was disclosed that the FBI codenamed its investigation into Trump’s classified documents as “Plasmic Echo.” Federal prosecutors have charged Trump with unlawfully holding sensitive documents at Mar-A-Lago after leaving office and obstructing the investigation into their whereabouts. Despite repeated requests to return all classified documents and a subpoena, Trump ignored these demands. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and has tried unsuccessfully to have the case dismissed on grounds of presidential immunity and protection under the Presidential Records Act.
Judge Aileen Cannon has not ruled in Trump’s favor on the immunity argument, but the Supreme Court is reviewing it in a separate criminal case related to 2020 election interference. The trial for the classified documents case, initially scheduled for May, is likely to take place after the November election. Trump is currently facing trial in a separate New York case where he is charged with multiple felony counts related to falsifying business records to reimburse hush money. Trump’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment on the newly unsealed filings and the ongoing legal proceedings.
