Search Warrant Affidavit for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Home Released

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The document that convinced a judge to approve a search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida was made public on Aug. 26 in a heavily redacted form.

Government officials filed a copy of the search warrant affidavit, authored by an FBI agent, on orders from U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart.

The judge approved the warrant application on Aug. 5. FBI agents executed the warrant three days later at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

Though Reinhart ordered the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to release a copy of the affidavit, he agreed with every single redaction proposed by the government.

In the copy released on Friday, an FBI agent whose name was withheld said the government’s investigation was predicated on part on a referral from the National Archives and Records Administration, which has said it identified classified records in the tranche of boxes transferred to it from Mar-a-Lago in January.

A review of the boxes by FBI agents identified 184 documents with classification markers, including 25 marked as top secret, the agent said.

search-warrant-affidavit-pdf

Officials Tried to Keep Document Sealed

DOJ officials claimed that it needed to impose the redactions to protect the identities of law enforcement agents and witnesses, to shield details about its ongoing investigation into Trump, and to keep private grand jury information.

“The government has carefully reviewed the affidavit and has identified five categories of information that must remain under seal in order to protect the safety of multiple civilian witnesses whose information was included throughout the affidavit and contributed to the finding of probable cause, as well as the integrity of the ongoing investigation,” officials said in a separate document that was also unsealed on Friday.

Reinhart said in his Aug. 25 order that the DOJ “has met its burden of showing a compelling reason/good cause to seal portions of the Affidavit,” and that the redactions were “narrowly tailored to serve the Government’s legitimate interest in the integrity of the ongoing investigation and are the least onerous alternative to sealing the entire Affidavit.”

Reinhart has said that the information in the affidavit is the only information he relied upon when he approved the warrant.

DOJ officials had tried keeping the entire affidavit under seal, claiming the redactions that were needed would leave a product that would not give the public any fresh insight into the case. Media companies and nonprofits challenged the rationale. They said the presumptive right of access meant the affidavit should be released, even if some portions were redacted. The outlets noted that many supposed details from the document were put forth in news stories that cited anonymous sources.

By Zachary Stieber

Read Original Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

America is facing what could be described as “disorganized troubles,” born of a feeling of powerlessness.

The US is seeing a pattern of consistent, politically motivated lone-wolf attacks, evident in events like the murder of Charlie Kirk on a campus in Utah.

A Bullet Is No Argument

Charlie Kirk’s sharp intellect and joyful debate style dismantled challengers’ arguments, making him a target for those opposed to truth and goodness.

24 Years Later and NEW 9/11 Information is Still Coming Out

New info from journalist Catherine Herridge reveals the 9/11 plot traces back to 1998, following the first failed terrorist mission in 1993.

The Reported Russian Drone Incursions Into Poland Might Have Been Due To NATO Jamming

Poland says it shot down Russian drones entering its airspace amid NATO drills, sparking debate over provocation, botched recon, or NATO jamming.

Charlie Kirk Assassin Spotted Before Shooting!

Charlie Kirk incident mirrors Trump attempt: shooter spotted on rooftop beforehand, echoing July attack’s circumstances.

FBI Releases Images of ‘Person of Interest’ in Charlie Kirk Assassination

Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot during an event in Utah on Sept. 10, and he has died.

Chris Pratt, Jason Aldean Among Celebrities Paying Tribute to Charlie Kirk

Actor Chris Pratt and singer Jason Aldean join many celebrities posting online tributes mourning the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Police Respond to Bomb Threat at DNC Headquarters

Law enforcement officers rushed to the DNC headquarters after learning of a potential bomb threat, a U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson said in an email.

Conservative Influencers Mourn the Loss of Charlie Kirk

One day after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, tributes and condolences are pouring in from his colleagues on social media.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central