Mr. Green said that Hobby Lobby’s collection of historical Bibles and artifacts like the tablets was “consistent with the company’s mission and passion for the Bible.” He added that the company had planned to display the items it bought in various museums and public institutions.

As for the smuggling allegations, Mr. Green said in the statement that Hobby Lobby was “new to the world of acquiring these items, and did not fully appreciate the complexities of the acquisitions process.” He added that “regrettable mistakes” were made and that he should have “exercised more oversight.”

CalvinBall wrote:https://twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/882937379824259072

man this guy cant get over himself.

CalvinBall wrote:https://twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/882937379824259072

man this guy cant get over himself.

JFLNYC wrote:If anyone of is tried to import even one of those artifacts -- let alone over 5,500 of them -- we'd be sitting in jail right now.

Read this, what he writes,’’ Jay Goldberg instructed, pointing at a typewritten letter hanging inside a large frame on the living-­room wall of his Upper East Side penthouse. I read out loud: ‘‘Dear Jay, Thank you for the wonderful note you sent me over the Christmas holiday. I truly appreciate your great words and support. There has never been a lawyer more important to me than you. It is very important to me that you know that.’’ Goldberg cut me off. ‘‘He underlined that,’’ he said, referring to the last sentence. The letter was signed, ‘‘Donald Trump.’’

‘‘Now read this,’’ Goldberg continued, pointing at another keepsake inside the same frame, a clipping from a magazine. I read: A survey of New York lawyers and judges had named Goldberg ‘‘the best pure trial lawyer in town.’’

‘‘Look at what our boy writes,’’ Goldberg said, pointing a finger at Trump’s annotation, handwritten with a black Sharpie. ‘‘I agree 100%. Donald.’’