Trump Claims Pre-Indictment Meeting at White House Validates Biden Administration’s Involvement in Smith Probe: Sources
Former President Donald Trump has criticized special counsel Jack Smith’s office after a report emerged, suggesting that a member of his team had a pre-indictment meeting at the White House earlier this year. However, a source told NBC News that the meeting was with a career White House staffer and not, as Trump claims, a sitdown to seek Biden administration approval for criminal charges.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his views on the matter, stating, It has just been reported that aides to TRUMP prosecutor, Deranged Jack Smith, met with high officials at the White House just prior to these political SleazeBags Indicating me OVER NOTHING. He added, If this is so, which it is, that means that Biden and his Fascist Thugs knew and APPROVED of this Country dividing Form of Election Interference, despite their insisting that they ‘knew nothing.’
The controversy stems from a New York Post report that suggested Jay Bratt, the Justice Department’s top counterintelligence official, had a meeting at the White House on March 31 with Caroline Saba, then the deputy chief of staff for the White House Counsel’s office. An FBI field agent was also present during the meeting. The Post linked this meeting to Trump’s subsequent indictment on charges related to mishandling national secrets he took from the White House, claiming that Nine weeks later, Trump was indicted by Smith’s office.
However, a source familiar with the meeting revealed to NBC News that Saba had arranged a meeting between Bratt and a career White House official who had occupied a similar position during the Trump administration. The purpose of the meeting was not to seek approval for any criminal charges but rather to facilitate discussion and exchange of information between the involved parties.
While the White House visitor logs recorded the meeting on March 31, 2023, it only listed it as a meeting between Saba and Bratt. According to the source, the involvement of the White House Counsel’s office in such meetings is not uncommon, as they represent not just the president but the entire institution of the White House and its employees.
Bratt played a significant role in the ongoing documents case and remained involved even after Smith was appointed as special counsel. Trump was indicted in June on 37 federal felony counts, including willful retention of national defense information, making false statements and representations, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Last month, he faced additional charges of attempting to tamper with evidence.
A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign has not yet responded to the latest developments regarding the meeting at the White House.
Trump seized upon the meeting to claim that it proves the Biden administration’s involvement in the Smith probe, labeling their assertions of noninvolvement as a big lie. He urged them to dismiss the case.
The documents case is scheduled to go to trial in May of next year, while a separate investigation concerning election interference is set for trial on March 4, 2024, according to U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.
In conclusion, the recent controversy surrounding a meeting at the White House prior to Donald Trump’s indictment has led to claims and counterclaims. While Trump alleges Biden administration involvement, sources suggest that the meeting was routine and involved career White House officials. As the legal proceedings against Trump continue, the case remains politically charged, with both sides presenting contrasting views on the matter.
