[Observator]

The SM is pretty much saying they have to take a stand on if Trump declassified the documents, or he will rule they remain classified. Trump's lawyer don't want to make that claim, at least yet.

They don't need to - Trump already explained many times he declassified them. It's pretty simple - as President you have Total Power to declassify anything. You don't have to ask permission. You just think it and it's done. Now Biden's FBI lackeys are after Trump for a thought crime. Who are you going to believe???

[ETCM]

They don't need to - Trump already explained many times he declassified them.

Yes, they do. In a court. To Judge Dearie, the appointed Special Master. What Trump says in a tweet, a "truth" or a Hannity interview is legally meaningless. Trump, via his lawyers, must say he ordered the documents declassified. If he doesn't, Judge Dearie will likely rule that they remain classified at the level assigned by the classifying authority.

To be clear, the Special Master has no authority to declassify the documents. He can only determine if TRUMP declassified them on or before 20 Jan 2021 or not. To do that, Trump's lawyers must provide some document or testimony that he did, in fact declassify them.