Former President Trump Acknowledges Holding Sensitive Military Document In Newly Obtained Audio Recording
According to ABC News, former President Trump acknowledges holding sensitive military document in newly obtained audio recording.
Author:Dexter CookeReviewer:Hajra ShannonJun 28, 202355 Shares54.6K Views
According to ABCNews, former President Trump acknowledges holding sensitive military document in newly obtained audio recording. However, Trump states that he can no longer declassify it since he is no longer the president.
The contents of the recording, which took place during a meeting at Trump's New Jersey golf club on July 21, 2021, have been referenced in the Justice Department's indictment related to Trump's handling of classified documents post-presidency.
Recording's Authenticity Confirmed
ABC News has verified the authenticity of the recording through a separate source familiar with its contents.
The meeting reportedly involved individuals assisting Trump's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, with his memoir.
Special counsel Jack Smith's team has interviewed attendees present at the meeting, including Meadows' autobiographers and at least two Trump aides, according to sources cited by ABC News.
Trump heard discussing classified document in audio recording
Trump's Criticism Of General Mark Milley And Document Reference
In the recording, Trump can be heard criticizing General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while making a reference to a document that he claims Milley had compiled. The details of this document have not been disclosed.
“„Well, with Milley - - uh, let me see that, I'll show you an example. He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isn't that amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this - - this is off the record, but - - they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him. We looked at some - - this was him. This wasn't done by me, this was him. All sorts of stuff - - pages long, look.- Trump says on the recording
“„Wait a minute, let's see here. I just found, isn't that amazing?. This totally wins my case, you know. Except it is like, highly confidential. Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this. This was done by the military and given to me. As president I could have declassified, but now I can't.- Trump says
Trump recently pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials.
Prosecutors allege that he failed to return numerous documents containing classified information, ranging from nuclear secrets to defense capabilities.
Prosecutors argue that Trump's acknowledgment on the recording, stating that he can no longer declassify the document, weakens his claim that he had declassified all the materials before leaving the White House.
Trump has vehemently denied the charges, characterizing the investigation as a political witch hunt.
Audio Recording First Published By CNN
The audio recording was initially made public by CNN, shedding new light on Trump's statements regarding the sensitive military document.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign responded to the release, stating that the audio tape provides context and reinforces the fact that Trump did nothing wrong.
Trump himself, in a statement, reiterated his innocence, emphasizing that the document mentioned was not a classified item but rather a collection of newspaper and magazine articles.
Material Referenced In Recording Not Located
Earlier this month, ABC News reported that Trump's attorneys had not been able to locate the specific material referenced in the audio recording. The nature and whereabouts of the document mentioned remain uncertain.
As the legal proceedings continue, questions persist about the handling of classified materials and the implications for Trump's defense.
The audio recording adds a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into his post-presidential actions.
Donald Trump's Denial
Trump disputed to Fox News last week that the item in his hands at Bedminster was a secret document.
“„It wasn't a document, OK? I had lots of paper - - I had copies of newspaper articles, I had copies of magazines. There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document.- Trump said during the Fox News interview
“„I didn't have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.- Trump said during the Fox News interview
Final Words
In the midst of the legal battles surrounding former President Donald Trump's handling of classified materials after leaving office, an audio recording obtained by ABC News has brought new insights into the case.
The recording reveals Trump acknowledging that he held onto a sensitive military document but could no longer declassify it as he is no longer the president. This revelation raises questions about the declassification process and the handling of classified materials.
While Trump and his campaign spokesperson maintain his innocence, prosecutors argue that his acknowledgement undermines his claim of having declassified all documents before leaving the White House.
The contents of the document mentioned in the recording remain undisclosed, and Trump's attorneys have been unable to locate it.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of this audio recording add another layer to the ongoing investigation into Trump's post-presidential actions regarding classified information.
Dexter Cooke
Author
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
Hajra Shannon
Reviewer
Hajra Shannona is a highly experienced journalist with over 9 years of expertise in news writing, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and has contributed to reputable publications focusing on global affairs, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
Hajra's authoritative voice and trustworthy reporting reflect her commitment to delivering insightful news content.
Beyond journalism, she enjoys exploring new cultures through travel and pursuing outdoor photography
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