DOJ inquiry into Donald Trump's classified documents may close soon, as his lawyers meet Monday

WASHINGTON – A series of signs suggests the Justice Department may be nearing an end to its long-running investigation of Donald Trump over classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago with a decision on a potential indictment.

Trump's lawyers arrived Monday for a meeting at the department, weeks after seeking information about special counsel Jack Smith's inquiry. Trump posted on social media Sunday about reports prosecutors want to indict him; he continues to claim he's done nothing wrong. And NBC News reported the grand jury resumed meeting this week.

Legal experts have argued charges alleging the mishandling of classified documents could be the most straightforward case. But it's not clear whether prosecutors have made a decision yet about whether to seek a federal indictment of Trump, an unprecedented move against a former president.

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor now at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, said the meeting suggests a charging decision could come within a couple of weeks − rather than just a couple of days − as officials consider the presentation.

"Often defense attorneys are given the opportunity to 'pitch' the DOJ before a charging decision is made," Mariotti said.

A Justice Department spokesman declined comment.

Here is what we know about the inquiry:

Trump's lawyers arrive at the Justice Department

Nearly three weeks ago, Trump attorneys John Rowley and James Trusty sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland saying that "we request a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss the ongoing injustice that is being perpetrated by your Special Counsel and his prosecutors."

Trump’s lawyers − Rowley, Trusty and Lindsey Halligan − spent more than an hour Monday at the DOJ. A person familiar with the investigation confirmed that Trump's attorneys were at the department, but declined to identify who they met with.

The meeting comes a few days after the Justice Department notified former Vice President Mike Pence he would not be prosecuted for the discovery of classified documents at his home in Indiana. Trump has argued on on the social media platform Truth Social he should also be exonerated.

Trump denies wrongdoing

The inquiry stems from the recovery of more than 300 classified documents from Mar-a-Lago, more than a year after Trump left the White House.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump cited "reports" that prosecutors "want to indict me on the BOXES HOAX," and described the investigation as political retaliation. In another all-caps section of the post, Trump said that "I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"

But Trump has argued repeatedly that he could take records with him after leaving the White House, despite the Presidential Records Act giving ownership to the National Archives and Records Administration, and that he had declassified them, despite the lack of documentation for his assertion.

"I have the absolute right to do whatever I want with them," Trump said at a recent CNN town hall.

Trump grand jury resumes meeting: NBC

A federal grand jury also appears to be cranking up.

NBC News, citing unnamed sources, reported that the grand jury in this case is expected to meet again this week after after a hiatus.

Smith's prosecutors "have been presenting the grand jury with evidence and witness testimony for months, but activity appeared to have slowed in recent weeks based on observations at the courthouse.

Indictment is not Smith's only option; the special counsel could also issue a report and explain why he's not charging the former president with anything.

Trump inquiry could end without charges

Timothy Parlatore, a former attorney for Trump, said there should not be charges in the case.

Parlatore told NBC's "Meet The Press" that when "the grand jury went quiet several weeks back," it indicated "that either they're coming to a charging decision, or maybe they are moving to the stage where investigation is complete, and now Jack Smith's going to start writing up the report."

"Ultimately," Parlatore said, "if there are no charges, he's still going to have to write up a report."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump classified documents inquiry could be nearing an end.