U.S. DOJ wants public disclosure of the Trump Mar-a-Lago search warrant

It’s still unclear for many what went down in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago house raid on Monday night. The US Justice Department’s current move might reveal details. The DOJ moves to unseal the Trump search warrant. Aiming to show everyone what led troops to the FBI to retrieve documents on his property. 

Aside from the Trump search warrant, the Department of Justice will also unseal other documents related to the recent house raid. If the Florida judge will approve, the search warrant documents will show what the FBI agents were searching for. It will also unveil why it was necessary to send out dozens of FBI agents to Palm Beach, Florida. 

Atty. General Merrick Garland confirmed that the Department of Justice had requested a federal court in Florida to unveil the Trump search warrant. During a press conference from the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington D.C., Garland cited some of his remarks. This is the first time the department has talked about the search.

Consider this: the FBI didn’t broadcast they searched Trump’s home. They didn’t even send agents in FBI jackets. The only reason we know it happened is because TRUMP told us. The FBI didn’t try to embarrass Trump. The guy who publicized it should be the one who shows the warrant.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 11, 2022

Garland said, “Both the warrant and the FBI property receipt were provided on the day of the search to the former president’s counsel, who was on-site during the search.”

He also added, “I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter.” Garland said it is a decision that the department did not take lightly.

Garland said,” Where possible it is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search. In addition, to narrowly scope any search that is undertaken.”

Trump’s next move

This motion filing by the Justice Department gives Trump the opportunity for his next move. He can now respond and object. The federal judge in Florida has prompted the government to give the filing to Trump immediately. In addition, Trump has until 3 p.m. today to inform the court if he will object to the motion. 

What will be “unsealed” is the warrant itself and the receipt/return of service listing items seized, documents Trump had. What will not be unsealed yet is the application and affidavit presented to the court to explain and justify the search.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) August 12, 2022

The court filing indicates that the Justice Department requests the unsealing of the documents. And this is due to the increasing public interest in the case. However, it’s certain that Trump should have the chance to claim he has “legitimate privacy interests.” But that might cause harm once publicized.

Trump posted his response to Garland’s remarks on social media. He said that he and his attorneys were cooperating with authorities. And that “the government could have had whatever they wanted if we had it.” Although Trump did not directly disclose whether he would oppose the motion to reveal the documents of the house search. 

On Monday night, Trump said that his home at Mar-a-Lago was “under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents.” He also confirmed that the FBI agents even opened up his safe.

What the search warrant can expose to the public

Moreover, the public disclosure of the Trump search warrant and property list might oppose some of the accusations thrown against Trump. It will clearly show the real motive behind the raid. And why the federal officials deemed the move necessary. 

BREAKING NOW: 'The nuclear weapons issue is a hoax': Trump slams report on classified documents and again hints FBI could have 'PLANTED' EVIDENCE – as Mar-a-Lago search warrant could be unsealed as early as TODAY…

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) August 12, 2022

On Thursday, the New York Times reported that some sources briefed on the documents. They are describing them as somewhat related to national security. It was so sensitive making the officials decide to act fast. 

Former Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said that these documents would likely provide details on the current crime under probe. It might also reveal the list of what the FBI found. It also includes the details of where agents could and could not search. 

Weismann added, “It won’t be documented by the document but that should be helpful. Especially in identifying for the public that there was material there.”

Although unsealing these documents might shed some light on the purpose of the Trump search warrant, the underlying affidavit will offer more details.