WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Special Counsel Jack Smith brought forth additional charges against Donald Trump.
Among the allegations is the claim that Trump attempted to delete surveillance video. Additionally, a second Trump aide has been indicted for obstructing justice related to the hoarding of classified information.
New Charges Against Trump
According to a revised indictment filed in the Florida-based case, Carlos De Oliveira, an employee at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, is facing accusations of providing false information about his involvement in assisting indicted aide Walt Nauta in concealing subpoenaed boxes of classified information within Trumps residence.
In the updated indictment, it is alleged that Trumpsand a group of individuals attempted to delete security camera footage from the rooms where the boxes containing classified information were stored.
Furthermore, they reportedly approached an unidentified individual, urging them to delete the security camera footage at the Mar-a-Lago Club with the intention of preventing it from being presented to a federal grand jury.
As per the indictment, DE OLIVEIRA allegedly informed Trumps Employee 4 that ‘the boss’ desired the server to be deleted.
In June, a federal grand jury indicted Trumps and Nauta on obstruction charges concerning Trumps actions with classified material after his tenure in office. The updated indictment introduces fresh accusations against Trump and Nauta.
Readmore :Donald Trump classified documents case set in the midst of GOP official
The latest charges against Trumps who has been indicted twice before, encompass allegations of trying to “modify, destroy, tamper with, or hide evidence,” and also enticing others to engage in similar actions.
The grand jury has additionally included a charge of willfully retaining confidential national defense information and disclosing it to others.
The documents in question pertain to military attack plans concerning Iran, which Trumps reportedly discussed with visitors at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, in 2021.
Both Trumps and Nauta have entered pleas of not guilty to the obstruction charges. Trump has strongly criticized the entire investigation, branding it as a politically motivated endeavor aimed at derailing his 2024 presidential campaign.
In response to the superseding indictment, the campaign issued a statement condemning the new charges against the former president’s employees.
President Trump
They characterized the charges as a persistent and desperate attempt by the Biden administration to harass President Trump and those associated with him.
Fox News Digital
During an interview with Fox News Digital, commented on the superseding indictment, stating, “They’re targeting my company, they’re targeting my family, and, least importantly, they’re targeting me.
According to the campaign statement, Smith is well aware that their case lacks merit, and they are desperately searching for any means to rescue their unlawful witch hunt. The statement suggests that the motive behind this effort is to find an alternative candidate to run against Biden in the 2024 elections, other than Donald Trumps
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, based in Florida, has set the trial date for the documents case on May 20, 2024. Notably, this date falls after the majority of the primaries that will play a crucial role in deciding whether will be nominated for the presidency again.
The updated indictment was issued on the same day that attorneys had a meeting with Smith’s office regarding a separate case. This other case involves an investigation into alleged efforts to overturn Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
Earlier this month, disclosed that he has received a target letter and might face charges in a case linked to the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Apart from this, the former president is also scheduled for a trial in New York City in March, concerning state charges related to hush money payments.
Trump and his legal team have expressed their intention to potentially pursue a postponement of all his trials until after the presidential election, scheduled for November 5, 2024.
What is a superseding indictment?Â
On Thursday, Smith submitted a superseding indictment against concerning the alleged mishandling of classified documents retrieved from Mar-a-Lago.
A superseding indictment is a formal criminal charge presented by a grand jury to replace the initial indictment. Typically, superseding indictments involve the addition or removal of defendants, or the inclusion and exclusion of charges from the original indictment.
The superseding indictment against introduces fresh charges against the former president and includes charges against a Mar-a-Lago employee who was not previously charged in the initial indictment.
Superseding indictments are commonly issued by prosecutors when they obtain fresh information or evidence that requires adjustments to the original indictment.
Who is Carlos de Oliveira?
Carlos De Oliveira, a 56-year-old maintenance employee, has been associated with former President Donald resort, Mar-a-Lago.
As per the superseding indictment filed on Thursday, De Oliveira assumed the role of property manager at Mar-a-Lago since January 2022. Prior to his promotion to property manager, he had been working as a valet at the Florida resort.
The exact date of De Oliveira’s initiation as a valet at Mar-a-Lago under Trump remains unclear.
Based on Thursday’s indictment, De Oliveira is facing charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.