In a significant development, a credible firsthand witness in the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump has provided testimony that could bolster Special Counsel Jack Smith’s argument against the former commander-in-chief, experts suggest.
Molly Michael, a former aide to Trump, has reportedly shared crucial information with federal investigators. According to ABC, Michael disclosed that Trump habitually used the back of visibly classified documents at Mar-a-Lago for jotting down her to-do lists, treating them “as if they were scrap paper.” This revelation was brought to light by journalist Jonathan Karl.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) had issued a subpoena to Trump, requesting the turnover of classified documents believed to be at Mar-a-Lago. In response, Trump and his team returned only a portion of the requested documents. However, an FBI raid conducted at the Florida resort last summer uncovered hundreds of additional documents still held at Mar-a-Lago. According to legal requirements, former presidents are obligated to return all presidential materials to the National Archives following the conclusion of their term.
Molly Michael, who has been a long-serving assistant to Donald Trump since 2018, continued in her role even after the former president left the White House early in 2021. Reports indicate that she resigned from her position last year, reportedly due to Trump’s refusal to comply with federal requests.
In a potentially damning revelation, Michael also claimed that when she informed Trump about federal investigators’ interest in boxes of sensitive documents, the former president responded dismissively, stating, “You know nothing about the boxes.” It’s important to note that Newsweek could not independently verify these statements.
Following the publication of this report on Monday, an anonymous spokesperson for Donald Trump denied any wrongdoing, as reported by Reuters. The former president was indicted in the Mar-a-Lago case back in June, facing a total of 37 counts that include charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, violations of the Espionage Act, and lying to investigators. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This testimony from Molly Michael, a trusted aide who worked closely with Trump, adds a significant layer to the ongoing legal proceedings. As Special Counsel Jack Smith builds his case, the credibility of this direct witness could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the classified documents controversy.