Trump was requested to return the classified documents several times. He said he returned them all, then said he didn't need to return them all, then said he actually declassified them with his mind.

And yeah, it's not a great situation with terrible optics. It would've been better for everyone if he just didn't steal the classified documents to begin with or, once requested, he returned them.

I guess my question, given the GP's assertion that private citizens holding classified information isn't a crime, how does the law apply to Trump here?

Is there another law saying that government officials need to return all classified documents that would apply to him and not to the reporter?

Thank you! Cost me three points, but I really wanted this information and was having trouble finding it. :)

It doesn't. Different rules de facto for the ruling class and the peons. That's one of the failures in American society Trump has been exploiting his whole life.