No one wants to believe bad things about a personal hero.
I’ve heard from a number of Arizona residents over the past couple of days who see former President Donald Trump as an icon, as their savior, and believe the only explanation for the more than 30 felony counts he faces related to his handling of classified documents is an evil conspiracy by “radial leftists,” or “the out-of-control Biden administration,” or “George Soros,” or “the media” (including me).
To which I say one thing: Read the indictment.
Just read it.
It is not particularly long. There is not a preponderance of legalese in it. It features excerpts of interviews and recordings, brief transcripts of online exchanges, photographs and more.
In other words, prosecutors brought receipts.
The grand jury, in turn, listened to witnesses, considered the evidence and voted in secret to charge Trump (and an aide) with some very serious crimes.
It does not mean he’s guilty.
It just means the evidence could not be ignored and the case should be prosecuted.
If you read the indictment – actually read it – you’ll agree.
Prosecutors point out how Trump stored classified documents in boxes at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in unsecured places that included a ballroom, office, storage area and even a bathroom.
Trump’s classified documents included info on weapons, strategy
There is audio of Trump sharing classified information with, as the indictment reads, “a writer, a publisher, and two members of his staff, none of whom possessed a security clearance.”
Trump faces 37-count indictment:I don’t want to live in a country where Trump could be held accountable
There are reports that Trump told individuals, including his attorney, to “falsely represent” to the FBI that he didn’t have documents, and that he wanted his people to hide them.
And what type of documents are we talking about?
The indictment says they included “information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.”
Former Attorney General Bill Barr: ‘If even half of it is true, then he’s toast’
Nuclear programs? Potential vulnerabilities? Plans for retaliation?
Trump’s former Attorney General William Barr condemned his old boss. He said in part, “The government acted responsibly. And it was Donald J. Trump who acted irresponsibly,” adding, “(They’re) solid counts. … If even half of it is true, then he’s toast.”
Barr said the attempts to label the indictment of Trump a witch hunt are “ridiculous.”
The things Trump was indicted for doing land people in prison.
Questioning Trump’s charges mean you’re willfully ignorant
This month, a retired U.S. Air Force intelligence officer got three years in federal prison for keeping classified documents at his home and other places.
Will Biden pardon Trump?If Donald Trump is convicted, President Biden should pardon him. Really.
If the name on the indictment was anything but Trump, there would be no question – none – that the charges are justified.
Read it. You’ll see.
The former president, like every defendant, must be presumed innocent.
If convicted, he is, as Barr said, toast. Until then, he is not officially guilty of a thing.
But those who choose to willfully ignore the facts of Trump’s case … are.
EJ Montini has been a news columnist at The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com, where this column first published.
