“Trump has the authority to declassify and transfer to his personal ownership [documents taken during the FBI search of Mar a Lago]
We keep hearing this mantra from Trump and his chevrah. It is only partially true. Trump does have ultimate declassification authority but certain documents cannot be declassified at all and others require certain minimal procedures be followed. However, even after declassification, he CANNOT simply “transfer” (aka steal”) the documents and hide in his office and bedroom. They remain the property of the U.S. government (with the exception of certain momentos (aka gifts) from foreign governments of nominal value. Otherwise, they remain accessible to an ex-President but under the custody and control of the National Archives.