Trump reportedly rejected his legal team's proposal to try to settle the classified documents case.
He instead took the advice of a conservative activist who urged him to fight, The Washington Post reported.
However, Trump dismissed that strategy, and Kise never approached prosecutors, three people briefed on the matter told The Washington Post.
Fitton was blamed by several Trump advisors for convincing the former president that he could hold on to the classified documents, according to The Washington Post.
Trump pleaded not guilty in Miami federal court on Tuesday to the Justice Department's 37-count indictment against him.
Persons:
Trump, Department's, —, Donald Trump, Justice Department —, Christopher Kise, General Merrick Garland, Kise, Tom Fitton, Fitton, filet mignon
Organizations:
Washington Post, Service, Justice Department, Trump's Mar, Judicial, The Washington Post, Trump, The Washington, Wednesday
Locations:
Lago, Palm Beach , Florida, Miami