Unsealed Documents Show Trump Advised to Return Records Amid Legal Troubles

In November 2021, officials at the National Archives urged former President Donald J. Trump to return records he had taken from the White House upon leaving office. A newly unsealed document reveals that one of Mr. Trump’s associates strongly advised him to return the materials, warning that failing to do so could lead to legal consequences. The unnamed associate told Mr. Trump to give everything back and not to provide a reason for indictment, as federal authorities might take severe action if the records were not returned.

Less than two years after the warning, the legal prediction became a reality. In June of an undisclosed year, Mr. Trump was charged with violating the Espionage Act. Federal prosecutors accused him of unlawfully retaining over 30 highly classified documents and impeding the government's numerous attempts to reclaim them.

Around 400 pages of investigative records were unsealed on a particular date by the judge overseeing Mr. Trump’s case involving the classified documents. The summary of the associate’s interview with federal agents was included in the unsealed documents, while the identity of the associate was redacted from the summary.