The indictment details evidence that the former president placed national security secrets in jeopardy and schemed to thwart the investigation into the matter.
President Biden and his advisers have concluded that commenting on the indictment would only feed into Republican accusations of a politically motivated prosecution.
It was a more familiar drill this time for the former president, his aides and allies, who cranked their political spin machine and fund-raising operation into action.
The former president assailed Hillary Clinton for her handling of sensitive information. Now, the same issue threatens his chances of reclaiming the presidency.
Biden aides are closely watching Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s overtures to China, his attitude toward Israel and his balancing act with Russia and Ukraine.
Lawmakers in both parties fear that the rebellion by the extreme right could endanger spending bills and other big legislative initiatives if it persists, shaping the speakership in the most difficult of ways.
The former president is stepping up efforts to delegitimize the investigation into his handling of classified material after leaving office, a tactic he has used throughout his career in business and politics.