Trump faces additional charges in classified documents case

Former President Donald Trump faces additional charges in special counsel Jack Smith's case over his allegedly improper retention of classified materials.

The former president faces allegations of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, the Associated Press reported. Trump has previously pleaded not guilty to 37 counts in the case.

Smith's office has also indicted the Mar-a-Lago estate's head of maintenance in connection with the case of former President Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified materials.

Carlos De Oliveira is third person indicted in the case, Fox News reported. Smith has previously charge the former president's aide, Walt Nauta, both of whom have pleaded not guilty.

The indictment alleges Trump conspired with de Oliveira and Nauta to delete surveillance footage from the estate, The Hill reported.

The FBI raided the Mar-a-Lago estate in August of last year seeking classified materials Trump may have removed from the White House. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to handle the matter following Trump's declaration that he would seek the presidency in 2024.

A Trump campaign spokesperson told Fox News that the latest charges are "nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their Department of Justice to harass President Trump and those around him."

Smith is also pursuing an investigation into Trump's efforts to challenge the 2020 election and the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Trump himself has said that Smith's office sent him a target letter in that case. Trump's attorneys met with Smith on Thursday, Trump stated.

"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting — Do not trust the Fake News on anything!" he wrote on Truth Social.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.