A widely watched audio clip aired by CNN captures the former president discussing possession of documents labeled as highly confidential. The recording appears to challenge prior assertions that those files had been declassified. The content centers on remarks from July 2021 and touches on the president’s ability to classify or declassify materials during his time in office, a topic that has significant legal and national security implications. The conversation suggests the existence of sensitive material related to U.S. plans regarding Iran and raises questions about access controls within the White House and the executive branch. The transcript indicates that the former president was explaining how certain dossiers were shared with members of his team and how access to the materials was limited to protect sensitive information, even as questions persisted about whether declassification had occurred legally and properly. The discussion situates these documents within a broader context of national security and executive decision-making, emphasizing the tension between dissemination of sensitive information and the safeguards designed to prevent exposure of critical intelligence.
In the dialogue, the former president reportedly asserts that the documents were connected to plans concerning Iran and that ownership over the information belonged to him personally, implying that responsibility for declassification could have rested with him during his tenure. The audio reflects a claim that certain materials were shared as part of internal discussions with trusted colleagues, while also noting disputes about which party actually controlled the classifications and whether any formal process was followed. The remarks hint at a complex negotiation around access to strategic documents and the perception of presidential authority over sensitive material. The White House context is referenced, along with assertions about the existence of war planning that predated the speaker’s term, underscoring the highly charged nature of the topic and the potential consequences for national security policy and diplomatic considerations.
The former president characterizes the audio release as an illegal leak that was manipulated to create a narrative of guilt, while maintaining that the materials were not used to commit wrongdoing. A post on a social media platform attributed to the speaker describes the event as part of a larger political