After the Justice Department indicted former President Donald Trump on charges related to the classified documents he removed from the White House when he left office, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow suggested that it isn’t a slam-dunk that the former president will face prison, Mediaite reported.
Last Thursday, the Justice Department indicted Trump on charges related to his retaining classified documents and his attempts to defy a subpoena to return them to the National Archives.
In the 49-page indictment, which was filed in the US District Court of the Southern District of Florida in Miami, the former president is charged with 37 counts, including 31 counts of “Willful Retention of National Defense Information” and 6 additional counts, including obstruction and making false statements.
During last Thursday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” Maddow suggested that those celebrating Trump’s indictment might not want to pop the champagne yet.
She explained that there are elements to this case that weigh in Trump’s favor, specifically that he will be facing a jury that, unlike a Washington DC jury, is likely to be more sympathetic.
While Maddow had not yet seen the indictment since it was not unsealed until the following day, she noted that other prominent officials who faced similar charges, like former CIA Director David Petraeus, only got “a slap on the wrist.”
At the same time, Maddow acknowledged that others have gone to prison.
She told Reid that it is unlikely this indictment is a “worst-case scenario” for Trump.
The Miami case is one of two investigations being led by special counsel Jack Smith. Smith’s probe is also investigating Trump over his alleged involvement in the January 6 riot at the Capitol.
Additionally, Trump could be facing charges in the Georgia investigation into 2020 election interference led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Willis may pursue racketeering charges under Georgia’s RICO statute.
Charges in the Georgia case are expected to be announced in August.
