Trump's Own Words Used To Build Classified Docs Case Against Him

The indictment also uses Trump's own words to establish that he was aware of the importance of safeguarding classified information.

US prosecutors who indicted Donald Trump used his own words -- and notes jotted down by his lawyers -- to build the historic case against the former president.

The 49-page indictment unsealed last week accuses Trump of endangering US national security by hoarding top secret nuclear and defense documents after leaving the White House.

The indictment from special counsel Jack Smith relies heavily on statements made by Trump himself to make the legal case against the 45th US president.

It recounts one instance in which Trump described a Pentagon "plan of attack" on a US rival nation to a writer, publisher and two staff members, none of whom held security clearances.