In November 2021, a witness within former President Trump’s inner circle cautioned him that he faced indictment unless he returned sought-after materials to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The warning came to light in newly unsealed court documents related to Trump’s federal classified documents case. After leaving the White House in January 2021, Trump relocated over 15 boxes of documents, some containing classified information, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He is accused of obstructing efforts to retrieve the documents and has pleaded not guilty.
Trump initially returned 15 boxes of records to NARA in January 2022. However, he was subsequently subpoenaed to surrender all remaining classified materials. In June of that year, authorities visited Mar-a-Lago to collect the documents. In August 2023, the FBI conducted a search of Trump’s Florida estate, seizing over 100 additional classified materials.
The witness, identified as “Person 16,” met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on November 21, 2021, and advised him to return all records to avoid indictment. Trump’s response was described as “weird” and “you’re the man”-like. Person 16 left the meeting with the impression that Trump would comply.
The witness recalled discussing specific records missing from NARA, including the “Kim Jong Un letters,” the “Obama letter,” and the “Hurricane map.” Person 16 indicated that multiple individuals had attempted to convince Trump to return the records.
