Judge orders release of redacted search court papers: Trump
4 Min Read
A judge has given the US Justice Department until Friday at noon to provide a redacted document underlying the Mar-a-Lago search.
-
Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower two days after FBI agents raided his Palm Beach home, in NY, US, August 10, 2022. (REUTERS)
A US judge has ordered that investigators release a redacted version of the court documents that prompted him to allow a search of Donald Trump's estate. The public version of the affidavit, a document containing evidence acquired by prosecutors, could provide new information about the investigation.
During its ongoing inquiry, the Department of Justice had objected to the release of an uncensored version. The FBI search was part of a probe into the potential mishandling of documents.
The FBI wanted to investigate if Trump committed a crime by inappropriately handling government papers when he transported them from the White House to Mar-a-Lago as his presidency ended. US presidents are expected to transfer documents and emails to the National Archives when they leave office.
The former US President has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the sensitive information discovered in Florida by investigators was already declassified by him.
Read next: Trump sues FBI over Mar-a-Lago raid
US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart ordered on Thursday that the affidavit be provided with redactions by noon (16:00 GMT) on Friday.
He stated that prosecutors had shown a "compelling reason" to black out portions of the document that would reveal the identity of witnesses, law enforcement agencies, and uncharged individuals, as well as "the investigation's strategy, direction, scope, sources, and methods."
His decision came shortly after the Justice Department verified that it had given to the judge a copy of the affidavit with recommended redactions.
Even in redacted form, the affidavit could reveal why Trump allegedly carried secret documents with him during the turbulent closing days of his presidency, as well as what he did with them while they were housed in Palm Beach. The rest may have to wait for when - or if - any criminal charges are filed.
The warrant was made public on August 12, along with an inventory of recovered goods, which revealed that 11 sets of secret files had been removed from the estate. Several news organizations have requested that the document be opened, citing public interest in the search for a former President's house.
Read next: US Federal judge may unseal parts of Trump's raid affidavit: Reports
The Department of Justice, however, had resisted the move, arguing that its release could cause "irreparable damage" to its ongoing investigation. It also said the necessary redactions would render the document "meaningless".
Trump and his lawyers have demanded that the unredacted affidavit be disclosed, claiming that the Mar-a-Lago search was politically motivated and illegal. Taylor Budowich, Trump's spokesman, said the efforts to "hide" its contents were "cynical" and could be used to "hide government corruption."
Earlier this week, Trump's legal team requested that the probe be halted and that an independent third-party attorney, known as a special master, be appointed to oversee the documents obtained by the FBI during the search.
A timeline of Trump's probe
In January, the National Archives recovered 15 boxes of White House records from Mar-a-Lago and claims that some of the documents it obtained at the conclusion of Trump's presidency had been torn up.
A month later in February, secret files were discovered in the Mar-a-Lago vault, and the National Archives has requested that the Department of Justice (DoJ) investigate.
In April, US media report that the FBI has begun a preliminary investigation.
On June 3, a senior DoJ official and three FBI agents travel to Mar-a-Lago to review items in a basement. According to Trump, he told them, "Whatever you need, just let us know"
A few days later on June 8, federal investigators write to a Trump advisor, requesting that a stronger lock be used to safeguard the room where the objects are stored. Trump claims that his request was swiftly met.
On June 22, the Trump Organization receives a DoJ summons for CCTV footage from Mar-a-Lago.
On August 8, dozens of agents search Mar-a-Lago, seizing more than 20 boxes, some containing top secret files, according to the warrant.
On August 12, the warrant was released, showing that 11 sets of classified documents had been taken.
