Just now, over at the Washington Post - Justice Department asks judge to hold Trump team in contempt over Mar-a-Lago case. So, not asking to declare them contemptible, but we likely already had that box checked. Nonetheless, a pretty significant development, more it might be than a mere slap on the wrist.
Prosecutors have urged a federal judge to hold Donald Trump’s office in contempt of court for failing to fully comply with a May subpoena to return all classified documents in his possession, according to people familiar with the matter — a sign of how contentious the private talks have become over whether the former president still holds any secret papers.
What prompted this (in part)?
The request came after months of mounting frustration from the Justice Department with Trump’s team — frustration that spiked in June after the former president’s lawyers provided assurances that a diligent search had been conducted for classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago Club and residence. But the FBI amassed evidence suggesting — and later confirmed through a court-authorized search — that many more remained.
Seems the DOJ didn’t take kindly to the Trump team’s foot-dragging refusal to sign a clear declaration that they had turned each and every document that had been in Trump’s possession, classified or no.
What might the consequences be for TFG’s crack legal team?
If the judge were to agree, the most likely scenario would be a daily fine until the demands of the contempt motion are met. How large of a fine, or who would be forced to pay it, would be up to the judge.
May it be a high fine, per day and in sum.