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.

Trump’s Middle East Triumph is Worth Celebrating Even As Peace Remains Elusive 

President Trump’s bold foreign policy defies globalist appeasement, showcasing unwavering American strength and decisive leadership on the world stage.

Are conservatives fighting a fiction of woke?

Wokery, it hurts to say it, is too disorganized to have an organized cosmology or doctrine of metaphysical belief.

Illinois Democrat Offenders Reveal Party

The crime of J.B Pritzker and Brandon Johnson in this episode of American history is called subversion at the least , but could be as serious as treason.

Inside the Public School Librarian Jihad to Keep Transgender Propaganda on Shelves

Public school librarians are doing all they can to keep child tranny propaganda flowing directly into the malleable minds of their charges.

Five Reasons Why The Latest Czech Elections Were So Important

Populist-nationalist politician Andrej Babis is poised to return to the premiership after his party's victory. Here are 5 reasons why this is so important.

New York AG Letitia James Indicted on Federal Charges

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted by a grand jury on federal charges, according to an indictment on unsealed on Thursday.

6 Ways Vaccine Policy Has Changed Under RFK Jr.

Health Sec RFK, Jr. and officials at the HHS changed recommendations and policies for multiple vaccines, including shots against COVID-19 and measles.

Journalists Recount Antifa Violence in Roundtable With Trump

President Trump met at the White House with journalists attacked by the newly designated terrorist group Antifa, joined by Cabinet officials for a roundtable.

IRS to Furlough 34,000 Employees as Government Shutdown Halts Treasury Operations

The IRS said in an emergency message to staff that it will furlough more than 34,000 employees starting on Oct. 8 due to the government shutdown.

Trump Says He May Invoke Insurrection Act in Portland If Necessary

President Donald Trump on Oct. 6 said he may consider invoking the Insurrection Act in Portland, Oregon, if necessary.

Trump: All Medium, Heavy Duty Trucks Entering US Will See 25 Percent Tariff on Nov. 1

President Trump announced on Monday that all medium and heavy-duty trucks entering the United States will see a 25 percent tariff starting on Nov. 1.

Treasury Names Social Security Commissioner as CEO of IRS

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent announced that Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will also serve as CEO of the IRS.

Agencies Terminated, Descoped 94 Wasteful Contracts With $8.5 Billion Ceiling Value, Says DOGE

Various federal government agencies have terminated and descoped 94 wasteful contracts over the past five days, DOGE said in an Oct. 4 post on X.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central