Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has reportedly revealed in a draft of his memoir that former President Donald Trump left a top-secret Iran war plan on a couch at his New Jersey golf resort. Meadows disclosed this information to prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team, but downplayed it in the final published version of his book. According to ABC News, the draft stated that the plan, prepared by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, showed Milley’s own strategy for attacking Iran, which he had urged President Trump to consider during his presidency.
The incident is said to have occurred when Meadows was conducting an interview with a ghostwriter for his book, titled The Chief’s Chief. The plan was allegedly shown to underlings by Trump, who claimed that it proved his point about Milley being a warmonger. In doing so, Trump admitted that the document was classified and should not have been shown, contradicting his previous claims that he had declassified all the documents.
This revelation suggests that Trump was more reckless than previously known with sensitive information, as the Iran war plan could have been of great value to geopolitical enemies or even Iran-hating allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. Meadows also stated that Trump never informed him about declassifying large numbers of secret documents and denied the existence of a standing order to declassify any documents taken from the White House.
The report does not clarify Meadows’ role in the ongoing prosecutions of Trump, as he has not been charged in the Mar-a-Lago documents case or the federal January 6th case, despite being Trump’s top aide. However, Meadows was recently charged as one of Trump’s co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case under the state’s racketeering law. He has requested the case to be moved to federal court or dismissed, arguing that he was performing his duties as a federal employee when he allegedly aided Trump in overturning his loss to President Biden in Georgia.
Overall, this revelation highlights the potential mishandling of classified information by Trump and raises questions about his administration’s adherence to security protocols. It also adds to the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Meadows’ involvement in various legal cases connected to Trump’s presidency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is the reported revelation made by Mark Meadows in his draft memoir?
According to reports, Mark Meadows revealed that former President Donald Trump left a top-secret Iran war plan on a couch at his New Jersey golf resort.
Who did Meadows disclose this information to?
Meadows reportedly disclosed this information to prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith's team.
How did Meadows downplay this revelation in the final published version of his book?
Meadows reportedly downplayed this revelation in the final published version of his book and did not give significant attention to it.
What did the draft of Meadows' book state about the plan?
The draft stated that the plan, prepared by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, showed Milley's own strategy for attacking Iran, which he had urged President Trump to consider.
When did the incident reportedly occur?
The incident is said to have occurred when Meadows was conducting an interview with a ghostwriter for his book.
How did Trump handle the plan and what claims did he make about it?
Trump allegedly showed the plan to underlings, claiming that it proved his point about Milley being a warmonger. In doing so, he admitted that the document was classified and should not have been shown.
What implications does this revelation have?
This revelation suggests that Trump may have been reckless with sensitive information, as the Iran war plan could have been valuable to geopolitical enemies or even allies who are hostile towards Iran.
Did Trump inform Meadows about declassifying secret documents?
Meadows stated that Trump never informed him about declassifying large numbers of secret documents and denied the existence of a standing order to declassify any documents taken from the White House.
What is the status of Meadows' legal involvement related to Trump?
The report does not clarify Meadows' role in the ongoing prosecutions of Trump, as he has not been charged in certain cases. However, he was recently charged as one of Trump's co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case under the state's racketeering law.
What legal actions has Meadows taken regarding the Georgia election interference case?
Meadows has requested the Georgia election interference case to be moved to federal court or dismissed, arguing that he was performing his duties as a federal employee when he allegedly aided Trump in overturning his loss to President Biden in Georgia.
What does this revelation raise questions about?
This revelation raises questions about Trump's potential mishandling of classified information and his administration's adherence to security protocols.
How does this new information impact Meadows' legal scrutiny?
This revelation adds to the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Meadows' involvement in various legal cases connected to Trump's presidency.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
