McCollum Statement on Unsealed Indictment Against Former President Trump

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today after the 37-count indictment against former President Donald J. Trump was unsealed:

"Today former President Donald J. Trump was indicted on criminal charges in an astonishing breach of trust with the American people. I strongly encourage everyone to read the 37 charges as they are outlined here. These charging decisions were made by an independent special counsel, which removes any claim that they are partisan in nature.

"As President, Donald Trump swore an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. As Commander-in-Chief, his most sacred duty was to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Intelligence Community who put their lives on the line to protect our nation. His negligence and actions clearly put them at risk.

"Special Counsel Jack Smith aptly stated, 'Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk.'

"Trump's actions betrayed the trust of the American people. By taking top secret documents-including but not limited to top-secret nuclear information-storing them in non-secure locations, and flaunting them as if they were status symbols (p. 3), he has shown a willful disregard for our national security.

"Further, when asked to return sensitive documents that are the property of the United States, he initiated a conspiracy scheme to keep these documents under his control by withholding documents as requested, concealing them, and making false statements to the grand jury (p. 21).

"As I have stated before, in the United States of America, we have one set of laws that apply to everyone-from private citizens to the President of the United States. It is now time for Donald J. Trump to be held accountable for his irresponsible and reprehensible actions. No one is above the law."

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