Donald Trump says he was never told he would be indicted, as former spokesman confirms

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WASHINGTON Donald Trump disputed news reports Wednesday that he was subject to indictment in an investigation into classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, as a federal grand jury in Florida interviewed one of his aides. former speaker in an apparent obstruction of justice investigation.

“Nobody told me I was indicted, and I shouldn’t be because I did NOTHING wrong,” Trump said on his Truth Social website, amid reports that he had received a formal “target letter” from prosecutor.

Trump did not say if he received a formal letter, but said in his post that “I have assumed for years that I am a Target of the WEAPONIZED DOJ & FBI.”

The New York Times reported late Wednesday that federal prosecutors informed Trump’s legal team that he was the target of an investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving office, according to two unnamed sources.

One of Trump’s supporters, Taylor Budowich, confirmed Wednesday that he will testify before a federal grand jury in Florida as part of the investigation.

Today, in what can only be described as a bogus and deeply troubling effort to use government power to get Trump, I fulfilled a legal obligation to testify before a federal grand jury and I answered the every question honestly, Budowich said in a tweet. . I will not be afraid of this government weapon.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla. Timothy Parlatore, a top lawyer for former President Donald Trump, said he is leaving the legal team, a move that comes as a The special counsel’s investigation into the preservation of classified documents shows signs of being in its final stages. this.

Budowich was a Trump spokesman when the dispute over the documents erupted last year. He now heads Make American Great Again Inc. which supports Trumps 2024 presidential campaign.

When news of Budowich’s testimony broke, Trump criticized the multiple investigations he was facing from the Justice Department, New York Attorney General Letitia James, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg and in Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Wow, this is the best and worst moment of ELECTION INTERFERENCE in the history of our Nation.”

The story continues

The revelation comes amid signs that Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation may be drawing to a close:

What is a grand jury investigation about?

Federal authorities obtained more than 300 classified documents from Mar-a-Lago last year, most under a subpoena in June or during an FBI search in August. Prosecutors are believed to be investigating the mishandling of documents and alleged obstruction of justice due to their possible concealment or transfer.

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, saying he had the right to keep the documents and that he had declassified them, though authorities have found no documentation to support that claim.

What happened Jan. 6?: The destruction of 187 minutes Trump was not seen in Jan. 6 as the aides urged him to act

What happened to the classified documents? Graphics: How Biden’s case differs from classified Trump documents seized at Mar-a-Lago

Trump’s campaign released a new ad Wednesday arguing that the investigations are intended to distract from President Joe Biden’s incompetence.

Let’s taint the radical left prosecutors to indict him, says the narrator, with pictures of former FBI Director James Comey, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith and former special counsel Robert Mueller.

Comey and Mueller led the investigations related to Trump’s impeachment while president. Bragg charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records and scheduled a trial in March.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump supporter Taylor Budowich confirms grand jury appearance

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