Donald Trump has been hit with additional criminal charges in the classified documents case, including allegations that he pressured an employee to delete security footage at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The updated indictment brings the total number of charges against the former US president to 40, adding one count of wilful retention of defence information and two counts of obstruction.
The revised charge-sheet alleges that Trump, along with his personal aide Walt Nauta and property manager Carlos de Oliveira, conspired to obstruct the justice department's investigation. Prosecutors claim de Oliveira instructed an IT worker to delete the server containing surveillance video after a subpoena was issued for footage of areas where confidential documents were stored. The IT worker, identified as Yuscil Taveras, said he did not have the authority to comply.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to earlier charges. He has called the prosecutor, Jack Smith, 'deranged' and insisted he will not end his 2024 presidential campaign even if convicted. The indictment also alleges that Trump knowingly discussed a top-secret document containing plans to attack Iran with biographers visiting Mar-a-Lago.
The case is being led by special counsel Jack Smith, who is also investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump's lawyers met with Smith's office on Thursday, but no timeline for potential charges in that case has been indicated. Congressional Republicans have defended Trump, accusing the Department of Justice of being 'weaponised' against him.
