WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump pauses during a news conference at the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House February 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. Department of Health in Washington State has reported the first death in the U.S. related to the coronavirus. (Image: Getty)
The National Archives has asked the Justice Department to investigate the handling of White House documents by former President Donald Trump.
Earlier this week, 15 boxes of Trump records were transferred to the National Archives from Trump’s post-presidency residence at Mar-A-Lago. The boxes had been moved in the first family’s relocation to Florida. The request from the National Archives came among reports of torn up and taped-back-together documents after the boxes arrived. There are questions surrounding whether or not the former president complied with the Presidential Records Act which requires presidents to preserve all memos, letters, emails and papers that the President touched.
Neither the National Archives nor the Justice Department will speak on what they have found, and there is currently no formal investigation. Many referrals to the Justice Department don’t lead to the opening of a formal investigation.
“We do not comment on potential or ongoing investigations,” a National Archives spokesperson said.
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Trump released a statement indicating his full compliance with the National Archives.
“Following collaborative and respectful discussions, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) arranged for the transport of boxes that contained Presidential Records in compliance with the Presidential Records Act,” Trump said. “Much of this material will someday be displayed in the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library for the public to view my administration’s incredible accomplishments for the American people. The media’s characterization of my relationship with NARA is Fake News. It was exactly the opposite! It was a great honor to work with NARA to help formally preserve the Trump Legacy.”
Last month, over 700 pages of documents from the Trump administration were handed over from the National Archives to the House select committee investigating last year’s Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Trump tried to block the request, but the Supreme Court’s ruling allowed the records to be transferred.
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