Trump's inability to find missing military document 'may strengthen' Jack Smith's case: legal expert

Speaking with MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin, legal analyst Melissa Murray claimed Donald Trump's inability to come up with a top-secret government document he is heard discussing with an assortment of people lacking security clearances in a tape the DOJ now possesses has increased the chances of his indictment.

Reacting to the bombshell report that the former president was bragging and "showing off" the sensitive document -- and now it has disappeared -- Murray stated the special counsel Jack Smith can add that to his case that may include violations of the Espionage Act.

"If the material is still missing, how does that impact the case?" the MSNBC host pressed.

"I think it is really important here, if you cannot find this document, if it is still missing, you still make the case that something has not been turned over properly -- it has gone missing" Murray responded.

She then added, "Which might strengthen Jack Smith's case about the retention of documents issue."

"It's not simply that the retention of these documents, their careless handling poses real concerns for national security in terms of those in the field who might be compromised because this is handled so loosely; it also, and again, the losing of this document, it may underscore this," she continued, "meaning our allies cannot trust us with this kind of information going forward."

"It makes it much harder for members of the intelligence community to function, to work with foreign intermediaries to keep us safe, so there is a lot here," she elaborated. "All of it goes to those questions around the nature of this act, which is about preventing national security information from being carelessly handled, compromising national security. More broadly, focusing on the idea that those in control of these documents have to control them safely, they cannot withhold them willfully or knowingly."

Watch below or at the link.

MSNBC 06 04 2023 07 04 24youtu.be