Here is a one-minute read summarizing the 49-page full indictment in Jack Smith's classified documents probe. If you'd like to read the entire, unedited indictment, it is here.
Trump stored scores of boxes at Mar a Lago despite having no authorization to do so. He stored them in a shower, bathroom, ballroom, office, and a storage room.
When the FBI opened a criminal investigation into the unlawful retention of the documents, a grand jury issued a subpoena ordering him to turn over all documents with classified markings. Trump endeavored to obstruct the FBI and grand jury's subpoena by suggesting his lawyer simply state he didn't have any; having assistant Waltine Nauta move and hide cases of documents; providing just some of the documents to the FBI and claiming that was it; having his lawyer sign a certification claiming that all documents called for had been produced.
After stalling for a year, he turned over 38 more classified documents.
On Aug 8, 2022, with a court-ordered search warrant, the FBI recovered another 102 classified documents.
After his presidential term ended, the Secret Service provided security for Trump at Mar a Lago, but was not responsible for the boxes or their contents. Trump did not inform the Secret Service he had classified documents at the premises. After his term ended, he was no longer authorized to possess or retain classified materials.
A storage room containing multiple boxes of documents could be reached by multiple outside entrances including the pool area and a doorway that was usually kept open.
In May of 2021 multiple boxes containing government documents and classified documents were taken to Trump's Bedminster NJ golf resort, which also was a non-authorized location.
In July of 2021, Trump sat for an interview with a writer, publisher, and two of his aides at his Bedminster Club, and proceeded to show off some military documents describing a plan of attack against "Country A." Trump admitted at this time that "this is secret information... See, as president I could have declassified it. Now I can't you know, but this is still a secret." At this time, the writer, publisher, and his two assistants did not have security clearances.
In May of 2022, Trump was told by two of his then-attorneys that they needed to search through the boxes and return all classified documents. Trump responded by saying, "I don't want anybody looking through my boxes. What happens if we don't respond at all? Wouldn't it be better if we just told them we don't have anything here? Well look, isn't it better if there are no documents?"
In June of 2022, another Trump attorney signed a certification that all classified documents had been returned. This was blatantly false; the signing attorney had not even reviewed the demands of the subpoena, nor the boxes or folders containing documents.
In July of 2022, the FBI and grand jury reviewed surveillance video and saw dozens of boxes being moved from one location to another.
In summary, Trump, his assistants and attorneys lied to the FBI, claiming they did not have the documents requested; multiple boxes were moved and hidden; he returned just some documents while claiming he was fully cooperating; he made false, misleading statements, and provided a false certification that all classified documents had been returned.
