Former President Donald Trump faced renewed scrutiny in May 2024 when it was revealed that his attorneys discovered more classified documents in his bedroom at Mar-a-Lago, months after the FBI conducted a raid on the property. The documents were found during a search of Trump's properties following the August 2022 raid.
The discovery came to light as part of an opinion by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in a Washington D.C. grand jury investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents after he left the White House.
Trump's attorneys eventually provided the records found in his bedroom to the FBI in January 2023, but questions remained about how he could have missed them during earlier searches.
The revelation added to ongoing legal troubles for Trump, who is currently facing a 40-count federal indictment related to his handling of classified documents. The charges include obstruction and mishandling of sensitive material.
Trump's behavior regarding the handling of classified documents has been under investigation since the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, after the National Archives attempted for months to retrieve boxes of presidential records from Trump's estate. The raid uncovered over 100 classified documents, some marked as top secret.
The discovery of additional classified documents in Trump's bedroom raises questions about the extent of his handling and storage of sensitive material since leaving office. It also highlights the importance of proper handling and secure storage of classified information to protect national security and prevent potential breaches or leaks.
Despite these developments, Trump has maintained his innocence, denying all charges against him. The trial in Florida was postponed due to the large number of outstanding pre-trial motions.