We now know the FBI’s seizure on former President Donald Trump’s home was not merely a fishing expedition.
Last week, federal agents seized 11 boxes that included top secret and even higher-level classified materials.
Ever since Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20, 2021 departure, officials with the National Archives have tried repeatedly to secure the material. Earlier this year, he handed over 15 boxes, failing to divulge there were more.
It was only after an informant tipped off the FBI to the additional boxes that a federal judge authorized last week’s search.
Every president is required to leave behind any and all documents pertaining to their duties — classified or not.
Presidents are under the employ of the people, not unto themselves. The documents under discussion are not Mr. Trump’s, but those of the people and as such should be housed in the National Archives.
That the documents are suspected to include top security information and viewed only under high security, makes their cavalier treatment all the more worrisome.
WE KNOW how to respond to the situation because former President Richard Nixon tried a similar tactic.
Almost 40 years ago, Mr. Nixon resigned in disgrace in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Upon leaving office, Mr. Nixon wanted to take documents and recordings that detailed the steps he and others took in response to the investigation that found them guilty of breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972.
Congress prevented Nixon and in 1978 created the Presidential Records Act which declared a president’s documents are not only to remain in safe keeping, but will also be made available to the people in 12 years time.
MANY REGARD Mr. Trump’s presumptuous attitude when it comes to rules as emblematic of strength. Or even endearing. He is what he is. You know where he stands.
But storing defense-related information at his home can put the country in jeopardy, and, if it falls into the wrong hands, aid a foreign adversary.
Rather than question the FBI’s authority to search Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, the more pertinent question should be why the former president should be given a pass to break the law.
Recent calls by conservative extremists to “defund” or “destroy” the FBI and to attack federal officials and facilities are misguided, and dangerous.
The law, and the people who uphold it, are there for our safekeeping.
