A Florida judge has ordered the partial release of documents authorizing a search warrant for ex-President Donald Trump’s home. Judge Bruce Reinhart ordered the Justice Department to make editorial proposals next week during a hearing on Thursday, US media consistently reported from the courtroom. Various media had requested publication.
Reinhart called for disclosure of “portions of the affidavit” outlining the reasons for Trump’s search of the Mar-a-Lago resort. This could publicly justify the FBI’s raid.
Ministry of Justice refuses publication of the statement in redacted form
The Justice Department refuses to release the Mar-a-Lago statement, even in redacted form. The authority had argued that the publication could influence future investigations and the cooperation of witnesses. Jay Bratt, the head of the counterintelligence and export control division, told the judge that releasing the statement was not in the public interest as it could harm the ongoing investigation.
It is considered highly unlikely that the full documents will be made public. The documents are likely to contain important details about the Justice Department’s investigation. They form the basis for the search warrant used by the FBI’s federal police earlier this week to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. At the same time, the judge approved the release of some procedural documents.
Top secret documents seized
In Mar-a-Lago, the FBI also found and seized top secret documents. Trump claimed he released the documents at the time. Incumbent presidents have far-reaching powers to lift secrecy. But for the release of documents there is a formal procedure with some very official steps.
Trump also claimed that there was a permanent corresponding instruction for all the documents he took home. CNN reported that 18 former senior Trump administration officials told the broadcaster they had never heard of such an order while working for Trump.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
