{O/C} {Good evening}
Released, but censored.
That's what emanated from the Justice Department today as it publicised a mostly sealed affidavit about the Mar-a-Lago search and the purported mishmash of documents and miscellaneous items at former President Trump's residence.
{Take SOT}
{Soundbite}
JOE BIDEN, U.S. President:
"Well, I just want to know, I've declassified everything in the world. I'm President. I can do it." Come on, declassified everything?
{VO}
That's Biden rebuffing Trump's claim he had declassified the White House records before taking them home.
In the fifteen boxes returned to the National Archives in January laid 184 classified documents -- 67 were confidential, 92 were secret with 25 at the top secret level, all mingled with newspapers and magazines.
Had they been disclosed they would have grievously jeopardised national security.
Camouflaged human sources and Trump's handwritten notes were also uncovered.
The 38-page affidavit also divulged that it took nearly half a year for Trump to turn in the fifteen boxes of classified documents last year.
What's more, there's also no proper storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
All this reeks of probable cause more classified documents with national defence information may still be at Trump's seaside resort.
Evidence of obstruction may also waft over the nation soon.
But given the ear-piercing political cacophony after the raid, the judge allowed necessary redactions to salvage the probe.
{Soundbite}
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Justice Department Reporter:
It's really notable that we received as much information as we did, given the sensitivity of this investigation and the extraordinary nature of a search of a former president's home.
We have some clue about what might be in the redacted information, just based on the judge's order and what he permitted the Justice Department to keep sealed. And so that's any information any information related to uncharged parties.
{VO}
Still, an uncompromising Trump stridently excoriated the Mar-a-Lago raid and accused the FBI and the Department of Justice of working hand in glove.
Trump had demanded the full, uncensored affidavit, adamant that he had cooperated.
Back in Washington, President Biden illustrated how he would handle classified records.
{Soundbite}
For example, I have in my home a cabined-off space that is completely secure. I'm taking home with me today today's PDB (President's Daily Brief). It's locked. I have a person with me -- military with me. I read it, I lock it back up, and give it to the military.
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