IMO - If the DOJ wants to prosecute (not a certainty) And trump has completely turned over all the documents he stole he will get to sign a statement similar to the one signed by Gen Petraus admitting to a violation of the records act.
The obstruction charge is hanging out there. I don't know how you drop that even with recovery unless it's used as leverage for something else.
If it turns out it was just reckless mishandling of the classified documents, would it be beneficial to charge him and then let Biden pardon him? Opinion | A Narrow Pardon for Trump?
I actually thought and still think it's possible that the court would permit the release of a redacted version of the affidavit. Of course if the court does agree the redactions would result in an essentially unreadable document in which maybe 20 percent of the text is readable with the remaining 80 percent covered with some form of heavy black strike-through.
I like the idea of going after the attorney who signed the affidavit that there were no more classified documents, then pressuring her to admit that Trump ordered her to write and sign it.
"If" I'll reserve commentary until the scope and motivation of the theft is publicized. The lack of cooperation and subsequent obstruction charge from a former president boils my blood.
I thought it comical that Trump said they “stole” his passport. A passport is US government property! 22 CFR 51.7
well since he doesnt bother to read the stuff anyways, saying that anything he reads is unclassified wouldn't really require changing any classifications
this is an outdated guide but the 'declassify in 10 years' isnt an 'automatically becomes unclassified', its a 'after 10 years it will be reviewed to see if it must remain classified'