The Missing Mar-a-Lago Documents, Cont'd.

 

Following up on our post yesterday about the 88 folders marked classified (46) or "return to staff secretary/military aide" (42) which were found empty, there is growing concern about what the Malignant Loser has done with the missing material that was in those folders. Intelligence officials will be trying to assess the potential damage to national security, and will have to work with custody logs identifying each folder's contents, albeit in general terms. But where did the contents go, and for what purpose?  Former Justice Department official and member of Robert Mueller's prosecutorial team Andrew Weissman expressed his thoughts on MSNBC:

"Ever since we learned that there was a search warrant and learned that there were classified documents, what was in the back of everyone's mind was the fear that these didn't all stay at Mar-a-Lago, and was there any dissemination. That is the reason why government documents are supposed to stay with the government, classified documents are supposed to stay in a SCIF and top secret documents, more than that, are highly restricted in terms of who has access. And that is because of the concern that they get into the wrong hands.

"And when you see how many folders were empty, that is the thing that causes you to take a deep breath and really be concerned about what happened to them. It is very reason for this investigation and for the Department of Justice to be taking these actions. And the second thing that crossed my mind is we have learned a lot about Mar-a-Lago, that that is not the only place that the former president has a residence. And although he was given a grand jury subpoena that called for him to produce documents wherever located, that was not — we know that was not complied with." (our emphasis)

If the DOJ can determine through its sources that the Malignant Loser has shifted classified or sensitive documents to another property of his, another search warrant should be prepared and executed. There's no innocent explanation when it comes to the disgraceful and disloyal Malignant Loser, and if he's sold or bartered classified information to his allies abroad (Putin? Kim?) he's guilty of treason. Period.

 

The Missing Mar-a-Lago Documents

 

 

Trump- appointed judge Aileen Cannon (the one deciding on whether a Special Master should redundantly review the seized Mar-a-Lago documents that have already been reviewed by the FBI and intelligence agencies) has ordered the inventory of those documents released.  The inventory itself is revealing, but shockingly (?), as Marcy Wheeler details, nearly 90 folders marked classified or sensitive information are empty:

As you read the more detailed inventory unsealed by Judge Aileen Cannon, keep in mind that Trump is under investigation not just for unlawful retention of classified documents, but also under both 18 USC 2071 and 18 USC 1519, for concealing documents and (under just 2071) for removing them.

And one of the most notable details about the inventory (aside from the fact that the Roger Stone pardon is classified Secret) is the number of empty folders:

• Item 2: The leatherbound box, containing news clippings dated 1/2017 to 10/2018
  • 43 empty folders with CLASSIFIED banners
  • 28 empty folders labeled Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide
• Item 15: Box A-28, containing news clippings dated 10/2016 to 11/2018
  • 2 empty folders labeled Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide
• Item 18: Box A-35, containing news clippings dated 1/2018 to 12/2019
  • 2 empty folders labeled Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide
• Item 23: Box A-39, containing clippings dated 11/2016 to 6/2018
  • 8 empty folders labeled Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide
• Item 25: Box A-41, containing clippings dated 10/2016 to 11/2017
  • 1 empty folder with CLASSIFIED banners
• Item 33: Box A-33 (includes potentially privileged documents), containing clippings dated 2/2017 to 2/2018
  • 2 empty folders with CLASSIFIED banners
  • 2 empty folders labeled Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide

All told, then, there are 46 empty CLASSIFIED document folders and 42 empty “Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide” folders. Each of those is a highly sensitive — and now potentially missing — document.

As Wheeler implies, it's prima facie evidence of concealing and/ or removing documents under 18 USC 2071 and 18 USC 1519.  (How about obstruction of justice?)   That's all bad enough.  But, more importantly, where the hell are the documents that belonged in those folders?  What unauthorized people have seen them or possess them? Have they already been monetized by the treasonous Malignant Loser?  What lives may have been put at risk?

What's the proper response to someone who has been and still is a threat to our national security? (rhetorical question)

(Photo: Department of Justice)