In an audio tape that was obtained by S prosecutors, Donald Trump confesses to having kept a secret document after leaving the White House.
People with knowledge of the situation later confirmed to CBS, the US partner of the BBC, that CNN’s initial story that investigators obtained the footage was accurate.
The handling of secret information by Mr. Trump is under investigation by the justice department. He contests his guilt.
According to reports, the investigation is almost to conclude and charges may be brought.
The audio file is allegedly from a meeting that took place at Mr. Trump’s golf resort in New Jersey in July 2021, some six months after he left office.
According to two people with knowledge of the situation, Mr. Trump may be heard acknowledging that a military report is subject to national security constraints because it describes a prospective strike on Iran.
One person claimed that he claimed it was still classified and that it ought to have been declassified before leaving the White House.
Additionally, according to CNN, Mr. Trump claims he wants to release the material in the memo but is aware that his authority to declassify it is constrained because he is no longer the president.
It’s unclear if Mr. Trump actually had the document with him at the meeting or if he was only describing it to his aides. According to some claims, you can hear the sound of paper rustling.