Special counsel Jack Smith discusses the indictment against Trump

Special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, spoke briefly on Friday, after a federal indictment was unsealed charging Trump with mishandling documents and attempting to obstruct the probe investigating the matter.

Video transcript

JACK SMITH: Today an indictment was unsealed charging Donald J. Trump with felony violations of our national security laws, as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice. This indictment was voted by a grand jury of citizens in the Southern District of Florida and I invite everyone to read it in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged.

The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our armed forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people. Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk. Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice, and our nation's commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world.

We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone. Applying those laws, collecting facts, that's what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more and nothing less.