Today the affidavit for the search warrant issued for the raid at former President Donald Trump’s Florida home called Mar-a-Lago was released.
The heavily redacted affidavit alleges that Trump may have improperly obstructed and stored classified documents, something that the former president and his representatives have disputed. They have claimed Trump was working with the FBI to resolve the issue and even added another lock to the storage door under their advisement.
Attorney General Merrick Garland gave a press conference after much public outcry and confusion over the raid of the former president’s home. Garland refused questions and said the Department of Justice would speak through the courts.
Some may see the action by the current White House administration and Department of Justice as politically motivated, and many pundits and political officials have even uttered the words “Banana Republic” while referring to the raid.
Originally Merrick Garland did not authorize the release of the affidavit, however this was disputed and the U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart authorized the release of the redacted affidavit. He rejected the FBI’s request to keep the affidavit fully sealed.
The affidavit reads:
“The government is conducting a criminal investigation concerning the improper removal and storage of classified information in unauthorized spaces, as well as the unlawful concealment or removal of government [government] records… the “FIFTEEN BOXES.” The FIFTEEN BOXES, which had been transpotted [transported} from the FPOTUS property at 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480, hereinafter, the “PREMISES,” a residence and club known as “Mar-a-Lago,” fmther [further] described in Attachment A, were reported by NARA to contain, among other things, highly classified documents intermingled with other records.
“The FBI’s investigation has established that documents bearing classification markings, which appear to contain National Defense Information (NDI), were among the materials contained in the FIFTEEN BOXES”
The affidavit has a statement from an FBI agent trained at Quantico in counterintelligence and espionage. The agent cites their personal knowledge for the facts.
Much under the probable cause section is redacted, and cites a newspaper about moving trucks coming to Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s departure from the White House.
The conclusion of the document reads:
“Based on the foregoing facts and circumstances, I submit that probable cause exists to believe that evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed in violation 18 U.S.C. §§ 793(e), 2071, or 1519 will be found at the PREMISES. Further, I submit that this affidavit supports probable cause for a warrant to search the PREMISES described in Attachment A and seize the items described in Attachment B.”
This is followed by a request that the affidavit is sealed.
The release of the affidavit shows some of the reasons why the search warrant was issued, it does however leave a lot to be desired with major portions redacted.
See the affidavit here, and stay tuned for updates.
