Legal experts are expressing suspicion over dozens of empty folders seized by FBI agents during their search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence last month, and social media users are demanding the former president be arrested for putting national security at risk.
Friday’s unsealed inventory list provided the closest look yet at what the FBI seized when it went through Mar-a-Lago, a search that Trump and his allies have condemned as politically motivated.
The list of items, released by Judge Aileen Cannon, showed that dozens of empty folders described as having “classified” banners were recovered in the raid. The inventory included 48 empty folders in total with this banner. Dozens of empty folders labeled “Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide” were also listed in the inventory.
In addition to the various empty folders, the list also shows that various government documents with and without classification markings, articles, clothing items, and books were also taken. The judge, who unsealed the list.
The revelation prompted former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner to respond on Twitter, writing that the former president “didn’t pack up EMPTY folders to take with him to FLA [Florida].”
“Things just went from bad to worse to unfathomably dangerous,” he added.
Former U.S. attorney Harry Litman opined that the empty folders were a sign that Trump may have “riffled (sic) through the classified docs to see what he had.”
“This undoes the image of just scooping them up along w/ shirts and M&Ms and keeping them in boxes,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in regard to the documents, including by saying that any classified documents that he took had been declassified. However, legal experts have cast doubt on this explanation as there’s no evidence that he ever declassified the documents.
Now, people are demanding the former resident be held accountable for his misdeeds. See some of the comments below, via Twitter:
OMG! Court just released an inventory of evidence of crime seized at Mar-a-Lago. Dozens of EMPTY folders labeled “Classified” or “Return to Military Aide.” Trump didn’t pack up EMPTY folders to take with him to FLA. Things just went from bad to worse to unfathomably dangerous. pic.twitter.com/yhlC0QEuqP
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) September 2, 2022
Is this enough to finally arrest the asshole?
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) September 2, 2022
Trump must be indicted.
Must go on trial.
Must be imprisoned.Or the word justice will mean nothing in this country.
— Freedom Alert (@LibertyAnn11) September 2, 2022
Yes there are.
— Harley & Hanna's Human 🌊🌊🐕🦺🐘🗳️💙💛🏌️🙏 (@ddoregon2020) September 2, 2022
Maybe they should arrest him, just a thought.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) September 2, 2022
Even the best case scenario with the empty folders is that Trump (almost certainly – who else would have the gall to do it?)— riffled through the classified docs to see what he had. This undoes the image of just scooping them up along w/ shirts and M&Ms and keeping them in boxes.
— Harry Litman (@harrylitman) September 2, 2022
Garland may need to over-ride the “90 day rule”before a general election given the seriousness of the threat to NatSec ?
— vasan (@doctorvasan) September 2, 2022
BREAKING: It’s the empty classified folders that are of most concern. Where are the contents? Trump has not addressed that at all in all his bluster and obfuscation. What were you doing with these? https://t.co/a4ZtliafGp
— Andrew Weissmann 🌻 (@AWeissmann_) September 2, 2022
Bombshell: Latest court filing from Department of Justice says FBI found 48 EMPTY folders that had “classified” markings on them at Mar-a-Lago. What did Trump do with the contents of the folders? Did he sell them? Are they hidden at his other properties?
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 2, 2022
I have an idea!
Basic math:#ClassifiedDocuments + $2B = #EmptyFoldersAt what point does #Treason start trending?pic.twitter.com/Tc3nbhkupS
— BigBlueWaveUSA 2022 Register 1 new voter today! (@BigBlueWaveUSA) September 2, 2022
To everyone here , especially those who still cling to trump and MAGA world, look in the mirror, ask yourself an honest question – IF Biden/Obama or Hilary did this & we saw the actual proof what would u think and be saying ? U know you’d be demanding they were arrested right Now
— Anthony By Da Bay 🏳️🌈🙏💙💛💚 (@AnthonyBKind) September 2, 2022
