Donald Trump charged with obstructing justice for attempting to delete CCTV footage

Colombo (News 1st) - Former President Donald Trump was charged Thursday (27th) with obstructing justice for allegedly an employee to delete CCTV footage at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, after the Department of Justice issued a subpoena (warrant) for the footage, U.S. media reported.

Trump was charged with three new offenses, one of wilful retention of defence information and two of obstruction of justice. The CCTV was of the basement of the house where it is alleged he stored confidential documents that he continued to keep in his possession after his term as president ended.

He has already been charged with 40 felony counts in the mishandling of classified documents. The trial is set to begin on May 20, 2024. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

The charges were brought by the office of Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, who is investigating Trump over a wide range of allegations, including possible charges of being involved in the attempt by a mob that overran the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in an attempt to prevent then Vice President Mike Pence from certifying that Joe Biden had won the election.

Trump has also been charged with 34 felony counts by the State of New York with business fraud over allegedly using campaign funds to pay a hush-money settlement to an adult movie actress that he had a relationship with. The trial has been scheduled to begin on March 25, 2024. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

He is also being investigated for allegedly attempting to sabotage the election results in the state of Georgia, which was won by Biden.