TWIT: Secrets for Sale

credit: R. Bolling

Update:  In a response to defendant Trump's motion for yet more time to review classified discovery, Special Counsel Smith hinted that the government is prepared to show a motive for Don 'Legit's" illegal retention of classified material at Mar-a-Lago.  Government attorneys wrote "That the classified materials at issue in this case were taken from the White House and retained at Mar-a-Lago is not in dispute;at issue in this case were taken from the White House and retained at Mar-a-Lago is not in dispute; what is in dispute is how that occurred, why it occurred, what Trump knew, and what Trump intended in retaining them—all issues that the Government will prove at trial primarily with unclassified evidence." They maintain that the defendant has not shown valid reasons for further delay of his trial.  Meanwhile pro-Trump judge Aileen Cannon has paused the trial schedule until a SCIF is erected in the Ft. Pierce courthouse, handing yet another victory to his legal team.

[5/10/2023} US Person pleased to post that his estimation that Don 'Legit' stole the classified documents from the White House and stashed them around the 'ultra-secure' Mar-a-Lago resort because he saw value, either pecuniary or trade, in the secrets is partially vindicated. Sympathetic commentators have been attempting to minimize his crime by asserting that he suffers from some sort of compulsive-obsessive disorder.  No.  Trumpillini is all transactional, all the time.  Even his marriage to Melania is an exclusive personal services contract. He illegally retained the secret documents not as souvenirs, but for future influence peddling or outright sale.

ABC reported today that the rogue former chief executive told a foreign national at Mar-a-Lago in April 2021 about US nuclear submarine secrets. Details of the "silent service" are some of the most closely guarded US national security secrets.   The man receiving the information is an Australian billionaire, Anthony Pratt, who shared the information with others. Pratt purchased access to Der Leader by buying a club membership.  Under the Espionage Act that constitutes "dissemination", which is also illegal.  The incident was reported to Special Council Jack Smith and Pratt has been interviewed several times by federal investigators.  In the conversation Pratt had with Trumpillini about Australia buying US submarines, the criminal defendant told him how many warheads US subs carry and how they can approach Russian subs without being detected.  Pratt relayed the information to numerous individuals including ten Australian government officials and six journalists.  Subsequently, Australia agreed to purchase three Virginia-class submarines from the United States

In reaction to the story, commentators were quick to point out that Trump spoke to Putin multiple times in person when they were completely alone except for translators.   The translation records are unavailable despite repeated requests. Conservative pundit George Conway said,"Everyone who has accused P01135809 [defendant Trump] of selling the nation’s secrets should profusely apologize. Out of innate charity, he gives them away for free," Or Not!  Don 'Legit' has finally outright asked MAGA Judge Cannon that is Mar-a-Lago Papers trial be delayed until after the 2024 election.

Loose lips