Trump is about to be prosecuted for illegally keeping classified documents

The criminal case presents another legal hurdle for Mr Trump ahead of next year's election. He also faces a criminal case in New York that is scheduled to go to trial in March.

Donald Trump is about to be prosecuted for illegally retaining stolen documents, photo 1 — Former US President Donald Trump. Photo: SCMP

Mr Trump said on his social media account Truth Social that he had been summoned to appear in federal court in Miami next Tuesday. “I am innocent!” he wrote.

The indictment remains sealed and even Mr Trump himself is not yet aware of its contents. The source said his legal team was informed of the seven charges as part of the summons.

It is not yet clear what specific charges Mr Trump faces. ABC News reported the charges include willful retention of national defense information, falsely withholding documents, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.

The US Justice Department is investigating whether Mr Trump mishandled classified documents he retained after leaving the White House in 2021.

Investigators seized about 13,000 documents from Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, nearly a year ago. 100 of the files were marked top secret.

This will be the second time Mr. Trump, the first former President in US history to face criminal charges, has been prosecuted since leaving the White House.

In April, Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election.

Hoang Nam (according to ABC, SCMP)

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