Special prosecutor Jack Smith is investigating allegations that former President Donald Trump disclosed the capabilities of US nuclear submarines to an Australian billionaire at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after leaving the White House.
Former US President Donald Trump and Pratt Industries Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt in 2019. (Source: 9news.com) |
According to ABC News on October 5, Special Prosecutor Jack Smith is investigating allegations that former President Donald Trump revealed the capabilities of US nuclear submarines to an Australian billionaire at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida just months after Donald Trump left office.
ABC News reported that in early 2021, Mr. Trump was said to have discussed technical secrets of submarines, including the new generation of US nuclear submarines, with Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt about the number of nuclear weapons the submarines carry and the distance they can travel to Russian submarines without being detected.
The Australian billionaire then shared the information with at least 36 people, including 11 of his employees, 10 officials and three former Australian prime ministers, as well as several journalists, some of whom told Attorney General Smith. The FBI and Justice Department prosecutors interviewed Pratt at least twice about the information.
The New York Times reported that Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt is among dozens of people identified as witnesses who could testify against the former president at the trial.
During a visit to the Pratt Industries plant in Ohio in 2019, the group's boss was praised by President Donald Trump as "the most successful man in Australia".
Speaking to officials during his visit, Mr. Trump also said: “Australian submariners have served on American submarines for many years, and similarly, American naval personnel have been on Australian ships. It is a total cooperation. The combat system on American submarines and Australian submarines is a joint program."
Responding to the above move, a spokesman for former President Trump said that what ABC News learned was just "whispered" news lacking evidence and relevant information.
In the criminal prosecution of former President Trump for possessing classified documents, scheduled for trial in May 2024, Prosecutor Smith has not included details of Mr. Trump's disclosure of classified information about submarines.
According to a 49-page indictment unsealed on October 5, prosecutors said former President Donald Trump transferred “numerous” documents to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after leaving the White House.
Source
Comment (0)