Analysis-Trump faces difficult odds in classified documents case

The first page of the U.S. Justice Department's charging document against former U.S. President Donald Trump and his employee Waltine Nauta, charging Trump with 37 criminal counts, including charges of unauthorized retention of classified documents and conspiracy to obstruct justice after leaving the White House, is seen after being released by the Justice Department in Washington, U.S. June 9, 2023. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

(Reuters) - Donald Trump faces a formidable task defending against charges that he illegally kept top-secret documents upon leaving the White House in 2021, according to legal experts, who said neither the law nor the facts appear to be on his side.

The former U.S. president, who is a candidate to run again in the 2024 election, was charged in an indictment unsealed in Florida federal court on Friday. The 37 counts against him include violations of the Espionage Act, obstruction of justice conspiracy and false statements.