Former President Donald Trump could potentially face up to 100 years in prison if he is convicted on all seven charges related to mishandling classified information.
Trump announced on Thursday, June 8 that he had been informed of an impending indictment for espionage, marking the first time in US history that a former president would face federal charges.
The charges against Trump include four counts with a potential sentence of 20 years each: corruptly concealing a document or record, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, and concealing a document in a federal investigation. Additionally, one count carries a sentence of 10 years for willful retention of national defense information, while the remaining two counts have a maximum of five years each: scheme to conceal and falsify statements and representations. Trump is scheduled for a court appearance in Miami, Tuesday, June 13. The indictment has been unsealed and made available to the public.
The Republican party responded with outrage to the news, with even Trump’s 2024 rival, Ron DeSantis, expressing concern over the “weaponization of federal law enforcement” and the threat it poses to a free society. DeSantis refrained from stating whether he would pardon Trump if he is elected, despite calls for him to commit to doing so.
In a pre-recorded statement, Trump, who denies all allegations, condemned the indictment as political persecution and maintained his innocence. His lawyer, Jim Trusty, explained that all seven charges stem from an Espionage Act charge.
The investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents began last year and gained attention when the FBI searched his Florida home in August, recovering about 11,000 documents, including around 100 marked as classified. Trump has repeatedly claimed his innocence and portrayed the investigation as a federal witch hunt, which has resonated with some of his supporters.
As the charges against Trump are federal and more severe than the previous state charges he faced in Manhattan, which involved hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, they carry heavy prison sentences. The transfer of presidential files to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate has been a focal point of the investigation.
Increased security measures have been implemented around the Miami courthouse in preparation for Trump’s court appearance next Tuesday at 3 pm. The special counsel overseeing the investigation, Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, has not commented on the matter.
