Subject: Re: The specail counsel's report
At no time was he required to provide them.

Once the federal government asked for them back, he was required to provide them. Which is why he never contested the fact that the federal government could lawfully request that he return classified documents and national defense information back, and why he did (in fact) return some of those documents. Because he knew that he was required to return these types of documents. But he refused to return some of them, and then took steps to conceal the fact that he had refused to return some of them. Which is why he's being charged with a crime. Because he tried to retain possession of these documents after the federal government tried to get them back. Which is a crime.