There is tape sound. Donald Trump, former head of the United States and the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination, is referenced in a document saved in July 2021. It concerns a possible attack on Iran and questions about what was known and classified.
The recording, whose existence was disclosed by CNN on a recent Wednesday and later corroborated by other outlets, is connected to a private attorney who reviews potentially irregular handling of documents after Trump left the White House. It also sheds light on some of the arguments the former president used to defend his actions, including questions about his authority to keep documents and claims about which materials were unclassified, sometimes suggesting a perceived automatic declassification or a belief that thinking about it could suffice.
The recording dates to July 2021 at the Bedminster club in New Jersey. It has raised questions about the reasoning behind declassification decisions. While CNN and some other outlets have not heard the recording directly, sources familiar with its contents indicate that Trump acknowledged possessing a confidential document and discussed it openly, while expressing a desire to reveal its contents. The discussion touched on limits related to declassification after leaving office.
Specifically, Trump discusses why he cannot address the document for a few minutes because he no longer has the authority to declassify and suggests that he should have completed the process while still in the White House.
an attack on Iran
The Bedminster meeting involved the former president in a room with Mark Meadows, who served as Chief of Staff, along with several aides. One participant, Margo Martin, is noted for routinely recording interviews to ensure accurate quotes.
This gathering occurred soon after a profile in a major publication described how General Mark Milley, then head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, allegedly instructed that the president should be prevented from taking illegal actions in his final days in office. Reports stated Milley was concerned that the military might initiate a full-scale conflict and sought to advise the president accordingly.
Trump’s remarks at the club touched on discrediting Milley and referenced a document he believed had been authored by the military. The narrative described a plan for an attack that could have been prepared in advance by military leaders as part of routine contingency planning presented to the commander in chief. The media noted that such a plan might have been prepared before the transition, during the tenure of the prior staff leadership, including a period under former Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford.
Investigation
For months, especially since March, investigators led by a special counsel have pursued questions about the document, the soldier involved, and the broader handling of materials. Investigators have sought clarification from Milley in person as part of the inquiry into the matter.
The investigation led by Special Counsel Smith, appointed to reinforce the independence of the Justice Department, has progressed toward a concluding phase. Entangled in other legal battles, prosecutors describe the inquiry as a significant legal risk for Trump, who faces charges in New York and a civil finding related to sexual assault. The focus remains on possible improper handling of documents and the potential for actions that could obstruct justice in the broader inquiry.
More than 300 documents at various secrecy levels reportedly emerged from the White House during the Trump years. Some were later turned over to the Department of Justice in June 2022, a year after leaving office, following a lengthy dispute with the National Archives. In August of the previous year, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private residence in Florida, on the basis of a warrant alleging that not all material had been returned.
Trump’s response
A spokesperson for Trump issued a statement after the CNN broadcast, accusing the disclosure of being a partisan leak meant to pursue a political agenda and to fuel media coverage against the former president and his supporters.
James Trusty, an attorney representing Trump, argued to CNN that the president had constitutional authority to declassify. He stopped short of confirming whether the specific document about Iran had undergone classification changes, but asserted that a broad power to declassify exists in the executive branch.
In this context, the public discussion centers on the tension between declassification powers, national security considerations, and the control of sensitive materials after a presidency ends. The record adds nuance to the ongoing debate about executive authority and the handling of highly classified information in transition periods.
As the inquiry continues, observers note the importance of clear processes and strict adherence to established procedures for safeguarding sensitive materials. The broader public interest rests on ensuring accountability and maintaining trust in how presidential records are managed and reviewed by appropriate authorities.
Footnotes and corroborating materials are cited in reporting, with attribution to investigative teams and primary sources. The documentation and testimonies surrounding these events are subject to ongoing review by prosecutors and oversight bodies.