According to statements first reported by ABC News, former Donald Trump aide Molly Michael told investigators that her boss at the time directed her to say she did not know anything about the boxes containing classified documents that he had stashed at his private club in Florida after leaving the White House.
Michaels worked for Mr. Trump starting in 2018 in the area outside the Oval Office and followed him in his post-presidential office at Mar-a-Lago after he left office in early 2021.
Michael Starts Seeing Red – Classified Markings
Reportedly, the former President told Michael to tell officials “You don’t know anything about the boxes,” once he learned that federal officials wanted to talk to her in the case.
Ms. Michael also told investigators that Donald Trump would write notes to himself on documents that he gave her listing tasks he wanted done. She later realized that in some cases the documents had classified markings, the person briefed on her comments said. The specific nature of the documents in question remained unclear, a source said.
Even though she was a loyal employee, Michael said that she became increasingly concerned about how Trump was handling boxes of documents in 2022 after federal officials started to demand their return.
Mr. Trump stands accused of illegally holding on to dozens of highly sensitive national security records after leaving office and of conspiring with two aides at Mar-a-Lago, his club and residence in Florida, to obstruct the government’s repeated attempts to get them back.
After receiving a subpoena from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in May last year to turn over classified documents believed to be at Mar-a-Lago, Trump and his team returned only some documents, later saying he believed the rest was “declassified.”
Donald Trump: In Trouble or Not?
Predictably, this news was splashed all over liberal media sites but barely made a peep on more conservative outlets.
According to Newsweek, Michael is the “witness from hell for Donald Trump.”
Many are declaring that Michael’s testimony continues to bolster the case against the former President.
Chris Timmons, a trial attorney and former Georgia prosecutor, told CNN, “She’s the key witness. She doesn’t have a prior inconsistent statement where she said something happened that didn’t. So, she makes a much stronger witness. And, on top of that, you know, she’s got just damning information. I mean, this is a smoking gun. And so, I think what we’re gonna see here is when this case goes to trial, if it goes to trial, her testimony, particularly her direct, and more importantly her cross-examination, is gonna be the key to whether the former president is convicted.”
The Trump camp claims the information is false. “These illegal leaks are coming from sources which totally lack proper context and relevant information,” said Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Mr. Trump. “The Department of Justice should investigate the criminal leaking, instead of perpetrating their baseless witch hunts.”
Without knowing the entirety of the conversation, the statement “you don’t know anything about the boxes,” could be translated as someone telling an underling that they know nothing of which they speak, not necessarily a direct command. While this is not likely, it’s an example of how the same words could be misconstrued without context.
However, considering the determination of those prosecuting Donald Trump, there will likely be no mercy for the wicked. As far as the current administration is concerned, Trump has been guilty for the past eight years and they’ll find the evidence to prove it.
About the Author
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor and opinion writer for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics, and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
