Former Attorney General Bill Barr stated on Sunday that investigators looking into the potential mishandling of classified documents by former President Trump have “very strong evidence” that Trump attempted to prevent authorities from obtaining the documents after he left office.
Barr stated that the case against Trump boils down to how long it took the government to retrieve the materials, which will play a significant role.
“He had no right to possess those documents, particularly the classified ones. They were possessed by the government. Consequently, I believe he was manipulating the government. And it was subpoenaed. “They attempted to coerce him into delivering documents,” Barr explained.
“However, the government is investigating the extent to which games were played and whether documents were withheld from them. And I believe that to be a potentially serious instance. I believe they have some very solid evidence there.”
Barr reiterated on Sunday that of all Trump’s legal issues, the investigation into classified documents was the “most concerning.”
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He added that he believed Trump was likely to be indicted in this matter before classified documents were discovered at the residences of President Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence.
“And I still think there’s a very good chance of that happening because — and I think it depends on how sensitive the documents were, but also what evidence they have of obstruction and gamesmanship by the president and the — and whether he directed people to lie or gave them false information to pass on to the government.” – Barr
Special Counsel Jack Smith is investigating the management of classified documents by Trump. The investigation was initiated following the August 2022 search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
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In the immediate aftermath of the search, numerous Republicans harshly criticized federal law enforcement officials, arguing that the search constituted an unprecedented assault on a former president and demonstrating the politicization of the justice system. Barr responded negatively to such claims.
The investigation into the classified documents is one of two federal investigations being conducted against the former president by Smith, who is also in charge of the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Barr, who served as Trump’s attorney general from 2019 to 2020, have fallen out since Barr’s departure from the administration. He argued that the Manhattan case against Trump, in which Donald Trump is the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges, is less significant than the federal investigation into his handling of classified information.
“I believe the prosecution is unjust,” Barr said. This does not imply that every legal challenge the president confronts is meritless.