A binder, Crossfire Hurricane, allegedly containing proof of Putin’s interference in 2016 Presidential Election reportedly went missing as Donald Trump left his office at the end of his tenure. According to sources, the allies of Trump are in a quest for the papers, hoping to make the information public.
The binder missing from White House contained classified data on Russia Source: X
A binder containing highly classified information regarding Russian election interference vanished at the conclusion of Donald Trump’s presidency, as per sources cited by CNN. This development has raised concerns among intelligence officials, as it could potentially expose some of the most closely guarded national security secrets of the United States and its allies.
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The disappearance of this binder, which has not been previously disclosed, was deemed so worrisome that intelligence officials provided a briefing to leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee last year. They discussed the missing materials and the government’s efforts to recover them. However, despite the passage of over two years since Trump’s departure from office, the missing intelligence has yet to be located.
CNN sources have revealed that the binder, in the possession of the US and its NATO allies, contained valuable intelligence on Russia and its agents. This intelligence played a crucial role in the US government’s assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin had actively supported Trump’s victory in the 2016 election. Due to its sensitivity, only lawmakers and congressional aides with top secret security clearances were allowed to review the material at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. The binder was securely stored in a locked safe during their examination.
Crossfire Hurricane Binder, Last Seen at White House
During the final days of Trump’s presidency, the binder was brought to the White House at his request. The former president intended to declassify numerous documents related to the FBI’s investigation into Kremlin. Under the supervision of then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Republican aides meticulously reviewed the binder to redact any highly sensitive information. Their goal was to ensure that the declassified documents could be released to the public.
Although the binder contained a vast collection of documents, with a thickness of 10 inches, the n intelligence held within it was considered one of the most sensitive materials. Consequently, top officials in the Trump administration repeatedly attempted to prevent the former president from releasing these documents. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the binder are currently unknown, as it was last seen at the White House during Trump’s final days in office.
On the eve of his departure from office, President Trump made the decision to declassify the majority of the binder’s contents, sparking a flurry of activity during the final 48 hours of his presidency. Multiple redacted copies of the binder were produced within the White House, with the intention of distributing them to Republicans in Congress and right-wing journalists throughout Washington.
However, the initial copies that were sent out were hastily retrieved under the guidance of White House lawyers, who insisted on further redactions. Just moments before Joe Biden‘s inauguration, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows hurried to the Justice Department to personally deliver a redacted copy for a final review. Despite Trump’s declassification order, the Justice Department has yet to release all of the documents. Various copies, each with different levels of redactions, eventually found their way to the National Archives.
Unfortunately, an unredacted version of the binder, which contained classified raw intelligence, disappeared amidst the chaotic final hours of the Trump administration. The circumstances surrounding its disappearance remain a mystery, and US officials have consistently declined to comment on any government efforts to locate the binder or confirm whether any intelligence is indeed missing.
Theories and Testimonies on the Missing Binder
The June indictment of Trump for mishandling sensitive documents at Mar-a-Lago does not mention the binder or the missing Russian intelligence. However, there is a theory regarding the whereabouts of the binder. According to Cassidy Hutchinson, one of Meadows’ top aides, she testified to Congress and wrote in her memoir that she believes Meadows took an unredacted version of the binder home. Hutchinson stated that the binder had been kept in Meadows’ safe and she witnessed him leaving the White House with it. Transcripts from her closed-door testimony to the January 6 committee support this claim.
On the other hand, Meadows’ lawyer strongly denies any mishandling of classified data on Kremlin by Meadows at the White House. The lawyer asserts that any suggestion of Meadows being responsible for the missing classified data on is incorrect. According to the lawyer, Meadows was well aware of the proper handling procedures for such materials, and any material he handled or possessed was treated accordingly. The attorney emphasizes that those making allegations without factual basis should exercise caution before making false claims.
Classified Data on Russia: Legal Pursuits for Release
Since Trump’s departure from office, his supporters have been actively pursuing the redacted binder in order to make it public. They have taken legal action against the Justice Department and the National Archives earlier this year. Additionally, Trump’s legal team is currently seeking access to classified intelligence related to the 2016 election assessment as part of their defense strategy against charges linked to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
