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Classified documents memo released to Congress alleges Trump mishandled sensitive records
A newly disclosed memo prepared for Special Counsel Jack Smith accuses former President Donald Trump of showing a classified map to passengers during a 2022 private flight and retaining documents so sensitive that only six people in the U.S. government could access them.
Key allegations in the memo
Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, shared details from the 2023 memo in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The document, part of Smith's investigation into Trump's retention of classified records after leaving office, claims Trump may have displayed a classified map to individuals aboard a private plane.
According to Raskin, the memo identifies Susan Wiles, now Trump's chief of staff, as one of the passengers on the flight. The memo also alleges Trump withheld certain records to further his personal business interests.
Trump's response and legal fallout
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, accusing the Justice Department under President Joe Biden of politicizing the investigation. A federal judge dismissed the case in 2024, citing concerns over the legality of Smith's appointment. Following Trump's re-election later that year, Smith dropped his appeal, adhering to Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
White House and Justice Department reactions
The White House dismissed the allegations, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson calling Raskin's claims "pathetic" and accusing Democrats of clinging to "deranged" accusations. "President Trump did nothing wrong, which is why he easily defeated the Biden DOJ's unprecedented lawfare campaign against him," Jackson said.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not challenge Raskin's quotes from the memo but rejected its credibility. "We understand that Jamie Raskin, much like Jack Smith, is blinded by hatred of President Trump," the spokesperson told the BBC. "Jack Smith's team was desperate to prosecute Biden's top political opponent, so it is no surprise that his files contain salacious and untrue claims about President Trump."
Congressional investigations continue
The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee is conducting its own inquiry into Smith's prosecution of Trump following his 2020 election loss. The full memo provided to the committee has not been made public, but Raskin cited excerpts in his letter, stating, "These new disclosures suggest that Donald Trump stole documents so sensitive that only six people in the entire U.S. government had access to them."
