- Trump claimed he had secret documents at Mar-a-Lago for his presidential library.
- But former aides told NBC News that he had little interest in the library until the files scandal.
- It’s one of several explanations Trump offered for keeping the documents.
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Former President Donald Trump claimed the secret documents he kept at Mar-a-Lago were destined for his presidential library, but former aides told NBC News it was a project he had shown little interest in.
After the Aug. 8 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, Trump and his lawyers have offered several explanations for why he kept a trove of classified documents and other records at his Florida resort.
Trump has claimed he extensively declassified the documents before leaving office, while his lawyers in recent court appearances and legal filings have focused on the idea that he had the right to keep them after leaving office according to the rules of executive privilege.
National security lawyers have told Insider that both lines of argument are flawed, arguing that no evidence has emerged to support the claim that he declassified the records and that most would not be covered by privilege rules.
In an Aug. 22 statement, Trump offered a defense that hasn’t received as much attention, claiming the documents were intended for the presidential library he planned to build.
However, former and current advisers cited by NBC said Trump had expressed little interest in the idea of a presidential library and devoted little time and energy to the project.
The former president, they said, was more interested in regaining power than cementing his legacy.
But even if Trump had planned to put the records in his presidential library, that would not have justified keeping them.
To include government records in a presidential library, a president must first turn over all of his administration’s records to the National Archives, which then sorts and makes them available for loan.
Highly classified information of the type recovered from Mar-a-Lago also would not be suitable for public display, noted Barb McQuade, a legal analyst and former federal prosecutor.
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) September 4, 2022
Trump’s lawyers are currently seeking the appointment of an independent official, known as a special master, to review the documents recovered by the FBI. The DOJ has sought to deny the motion, arguing that it would impede its investigation and harm national security.
Insider has reached out to Trump representatives for comment.