A redacted FBI affidavit used to convince a judge to approve a search warrant for former President Trump's Florida home noted that authorities found 184 classified documents in their initial . The Justice Department on Friday released a redacted version of the affidavit prosecutors submitted in federal court to secure a warrant to search former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month. "Probable cause exists to believe that evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed" was being improperly stored in various places at Mar-a-Lago, the affidavit states. Trump also lashed out at Reinhart, arguing that he should have recused himself from this matter because he had previously removed himself from another case involving the former president. I'll let the Justice Department take that," Biden said. The Justice Department had also shown that its redactions were narrowly tailored, he wrote. Police stand outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Aug. 8, 2022, in Palm Beach, Fla. Nearly 7.25 percent of the text was redacted, according to news website Vox. Of the 32 pages in the affidavit from an FBI special agent with expertise in counterintelligence and espionage investigations, nearly half were covered in thick black lines masking information that had demonstrated to a federal judge the need to search Trump's Florida property. Shortly after the affidavit was released on Friday, Trump made an emotional statement on his Truth Social media account, referring to the search as "the Break-In of my home.". The separate team to go through the materials taken from Trumps office shows that the FBI had a plan to deal with potentially privileged material before the search. In May, when the FBI reviewed the 15 boxes the National Archives retrieved from the Florida resort in January, it found "184 unique documents bearing classification marking," the affidavit said. "The redactions necessary to mitigate harms to the integrity of the investigation would be so extensive as to render the remaining unsealed text devoid of meaningful content," read a court filing from Jay Bratt, head of the counterintelligence and export control section of the DOJ's National Security Division. The Justice Department on Friday revealed a heavily redacted copy of the affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for former President Donald Trump's home Mar-a-Lago. A redacted version of the affidavit used to secure the search warrant for former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is set to be unsealed Friday unde. "I just want you to know I've declassified everything in the world. In a formal order issued Monday, Reinhart acknowledged the intense public and historical interest in an unprecedented search of a former President's residence, and said the DOJ had not yet proven that releasing it would compromise its ongoing investigation. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. They brought many, many FBI agents in all right before the midterms and all when I have the best poll numbers I've ever had," he said. 15 boxes Trump returned to the National Archives from his Florida property. The DOJ tailored the redactions and Reinhart accepted the modifications without issue. Trump search redacted affidavit set to be released The redactions proposed by the Justice Department are likely to be extensive given the sensitivity of the investigation. The 36-page affidavit, much of which was heavily redacted, said that in mid-May, FBI agents conducted a preliminary review of the contents of 15 boxes Trump returned to the National Archives from his Florida property in January, and "identified documents with classification markings in fourteen of the FIFTEEN BOXES.". "I'm not going to comment because I don't know the details. A federal judge has unsealed a redacted version of the affidavit that was used to justify the search warrant executed earlier this month at former President Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago . The Archives official said there was significant concern over the fact that highly classified records were intermixed with other records and werent properly identified. ", In June, Justice Department lawyers sent Trump's attorneys a letter that reiterated that Mar-a-Lago couldn't be used to store classified information, according to the affidavit. Definitions of the levels of classified documents dominate the bulk of the unredacted info. (Steve Helber/AP) Article. The federal magistrate judge who authorized the warrant to search Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate emphasized Monday that he "carefully reviewed" the FBI's sworn evidence [] "I just want you to know I've declassified everything in the world. The affidavit did not detail the specific content of documents it expected to find. The agent also said they have expertise investigating people who unlawfully collect, retain, and disseminate sensitive government information.. ", That filing was a supplemental motion to a request earlier this week in which Trump asked for a court-appointed special master to oversee the handling of materials seized from Mar-a-Lago. The affidavit says that former President Trumps counsel asked the Justice Department to consider a few principles, including the claims that the President has absolute authority to declassify documents.. Multiple news outlets requested the release of the affidavit, which details the governments probable cause for seeking a warrant for the unprecedented search of a former presidents home, citing public interest. WASHINGTON - The Justice Department on Friday released a redacted version of the affidavit justifying the unprecedented search of Donald Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. The 15 boxes included 184 specific documents marked classified, 67 of which were marked "confidential," 92 marked "secret" and 25 documents marked "top secret," according to the affidavit. Further, the FBI agents observed markings reflecting the following compartments/dissemination controls: HCS, FISA, ORCON, NOFORN, and SI," the document says. An aerial view of. A redacted version of the affidavit justifying the FBI search of former president . Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. The FBI would have had to provide the court its explanation of why it believed that there was likely evidence of that crime at Mar-a-Lago, so the absence of any unredacted details about that evidence signals that that part of department is particularly sensitive about that aspect of its investigation being made public. On Thursday, a federal judge in Florida ordered the release of a redacted version of the affidavit that prompted the FBI search on Mar-a-Lago. The FBI affidavit reveals new insights into how the investigation began. 2022 CNBC LLC. Since the unprecedented search of the former president's Florida home on Aug. 8, Trump has accused the Justice Department, without evidence, of politically-motivated prosecutorial misconduct and suggested that agents planted evidence. In response, the Justice Department moved to unseal the warrant and property receipt from the search. A statement by the administrative office of the U.S. Courts said an "unusually high volume of users" caused some to experience a delay in accessing the document but "the system remained up and running.". Still, some Biden administration officials have privately said there is concern internally about what exactly Trump took with him, and whether it has the potential to damage US national security. The government argued last week against releasing the affidavit, even in a redacted form. But I agree with the judge's decision to release what I see in the document. What can be redacted in disclosure? The Justice Department released a redacted version of the Mar-a-Lago search warrant affidavit andmemoon Friday and it includes a series of acronyms related to classifications. Sources also said Trump would write notes on the back of other presidential documents even when aides told him not to. ", In a separate 13-page filing Friday, the Justice Department reiterated its case for redacting parts of the affidavit, including to protect the safety and privacy ofa significant number of civilian witnessesin addition to law enforcement.. I read it. Bratt also argued that the affidavit "would serve as a roadmap to the government's ongoing investigation" if disclosed. Redacted Affidavit . The court filingunsealedFriday went into previously unknown detail about the classified information found in boxes retrieved from Trump's Florida resort in January. Before the redacted affidavit was published, the court released the Justice Department's memo arguing why information should be kept under wraps. Media organizations went to court to demand that the public be able see the affidavit laying out the reasons and research for the unprecedented search. The affidavit unsealed Friday says that the FBI used a Privilege Review Team to search the 45 office, separate from the investigators who searched other areas of Trumps residence authorized by the warrant. A federal judge had ordered the key. Moore: No quarterback controversy in Arizona, it's Colt McCoy's job, Kari Lake cuts into Katie Hobbs' lead in Arizona governor's race, but Lake's path to victory now harder, Dolly Parton receives $100 million award from Jeff Bezos, Strong Santa Ana winds to blow through SoCal this week, Miyan Williams injury adds to Ohio State football's concerns at running back, Live updates: Boise State blasts Nevada 41-3, stays perfect in Mountain West play, Remains of missing woman found in Antelope Valley. The affidavit also cites a claim from Kash Patel, a former Trump national security aide who was named as one of Trumps designees to the National Archives in June. Cover thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: DOJ, Steve Helber/AP, Police identify 4 University of Idaho students found dead. Wilfredo Lee/AP He reiterated earlier this week that he found probable cause that evidence of multiple federal crimes would be found at Mar-a-Lago and that he was and am satisfied that the facts sworn by the affiant are reliable., The affidavit contains substantial redactions in its section on providing probable cause for the August search, which is about 20 pages. The warrant indicated that the former president is under investigation for several potential crimes related to the possible mishandling of documents, including possible violations of the Espionage Act and potential obstruction of justice charges. Our live coverage has ended. hide caption. The reason for that recusal was not clear, news outlets reported, but Trump claimed it was "based on his animosity and hatred of your favorite President, me.". Espionage Act. The 32-page affidavit, even in its heavily redacted form, offers the most detailed description to date of the government records being stored at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property long after he left the . "Based upon this investigation, I do not believe that any spaces within the PREMISES have been authorized for the storage of classified information at least since the end of FPOTUS 's Presidential Administration on January 20, 2021," the agent wrote in the affidavit. A federal judge on Thursday ordered the government to redact and ultimately release a version of the highly sensitive warrant affidavit that was used to justify a search by the FBI last week of former President Donald Trump's private home and club, the New York Times reports.. Washington Post: "The entire affidavit is unlikely to be unsealed, with lawyers for the media organizations . There were also papers described as SCI documents, which stands for highly classified sensitive compartmented information., The Justice Department had argued against releasing the affidavit. Attached to the affidavit is a May 25 letter from Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran to Jay Bratt, chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in the Justice Departments National Security Division. Please enable JavaScript for a better experience. Trumps legal team has asked for a special master to review the materials that were retrieved under the search warrant. Here are some key takeaways from the newly released document: FBI said there was likely "evidence of obstruction" and classified defense documents. ", He tried to argue that presidential actions involving classified documents are not subject to criminal sanctions, because Trump was not "an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of the United States. A Powerful NY Democrat Was a Shoo-In for Reelection. There is little in this release that would quell suspicion that the raid was politically motivated. President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election, cracked a joke on Friday when asked about Trump's assertion that as president he had the power to declassify all of the documents found at Mar-a-Lago. ", In a court filing Friday night, Trump's legal team argued that the redacted affidavit "provides almost no information that would allow [Trump] to understand why the raid took place, or what was taken from his home. Pages from the affidavit by the FBI in support of obtaining a search warrant for former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. FBI SAID IT HAD 'PROBABLE CAUSE' TO BELIEVE ADDITIONAL CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS REMAINED AT MAR-A-LAGO, AFFIDAVIT SAYS The redacted, 38-page affidavit contains approximately 20 pages that are. The warrant was issued on Aug. 5 based on claims made in the affidavit, which is a sworn statement often made by an investigator. 1 : to put in writing : frame. Judge orders redacted Mar-a-Lago affidavit unsealed by Friday 03:06. The Justice Department released a redacted version of the Mar-a-Lago search warrant affidavit and memo on Friday and it includes a series of acronyms related to classifications. Asked about formerPresident Donald Trump'sclaims he'd used his presidentialpowers to declassify the material, Biden scoffed. Oliver. The affidavit lays out why investigators believe there was probable cause that crimes had been committed. U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, who approved the search warrant, ordered the document's release after reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday. The affidavit details the government's view that it had probable cause to believe the search of Trump's Palm Beach, Florida, resort home would turn up evidence of illegality. Home | Contact Us | Employment | Glossary of Legal Terms | FAQs | U.S. District Court for the District of . Some associated. The FBI found that in those boxes were documents that bore classification markings, and included records relating to national defense information, which had been stored at Mar-a-Lago in an unsecured location. Case Title: SW INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH <REDACTED> THAT IS STORED AT PREMISES CONTROLLED BY APPLE INC. . These stacks often included everything from newspaper clippings to the Presidential Daily Briefing. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO. 2 : to select or adapt (as by obscuring or removing sensitive information) for publication or release broadly : edit. They presented this to a judge. The few lines that are unredacted raise more questions than answers. The government said last week that the Mar-a-Lago raid is part of a probe that "implicates national security" and is still in its "early stages.". Read more about the affidavit in the posts below. "If witnesses identities are exposed, they could be subjected to harms including retaliation, intimidation, or harassment, and even threats to their physical safety," the government wrote, noting recent threats to law enforcement following the Mar-a-Lago search. Rebecca Shabad is a politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington. By Rebecca Shabad, Ryan J. Reilly and Ken Dilanian WASHINGTON A redacted copy of the FBI affidavit used to justify the Aug. 8 search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate was. A federal judge ordered the DOJ redact, and said he would release, a version of the affidavit that led to the FBI's search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home. The investigator who wrote the affidavit cited a Mayarticlefrom right-wing website Breitbart, in which Patel claimed reports that the National Archives found classified material at Mar-a-Lago were misleading because Trump had declassified the materials. The Archives official said there was "significant concern" over the fact that "highly classified records were intermixed with other records" and weren't properly identified. August 2022 Mar-a-Lago Search Redacted Affidavit, US S.D. ruled Thursday that the document could be unsealed. According to the affidavit, agents observed markings denoting various control systems designed to protect various types of sensitive information, including markings that designate intelligence gathered by "clandestine human sources," such as a report by a CIA officer or someone who works for the Defense Intelligence Agency. A federal judge had ordered the key document's release over the objections of the DOJ, which argued it contains highly sensitive facts about the ongoing criminal investigation into Trump. The Justice Department revealed a redacted copy of the affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for former President Donald Trump's home Mar-a-Lago. The judge accepted the DOJ's redactions later that day. The document itself says that any premature disclosure of the affidavit and other related documents could "have a significant and negative impact on the continuing investigation and may severely jeopardize its effectiveness by allowing criminal parties an opportunity to flee, destroy evidence (stored electronically and otherwise), change patterns of behavior, and notify criminal confederates., The affidavit noted that based on the federal investigation, the government believed that the storage room where boxes of presidential records were kept at Mar-a-Lago, as well as Trump's suite, his office and other spaces "within the premises are not currently authorized locations for the storage of classified information. The agent said they were trained in counterintelligence and espionage investigations at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. It stated that 25 documents were marked as "TOP SECRET," 67 documents marked as "confidential" and 92 marked "secret." As the department worked with Trump and his attorneys, it became concerned about the nature of other records at the property, and that they were no adequately protected or stored. Copyright: All Rights Reserved Available Formats Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd To the extent that is included in the affidavit, it is heavily redacted. At the request of Trump's lawyers, the FBI attached a letter where the lawyers stated that Trump "readily and voluntarily" agreed to give the Archives documents it had requested, and made the argument that the criminal statute on classified materials does not apply to presidents or former presidents, essentially saying that Trump could not break the law. Donald Trump 's Florida resort in January president Donald Trump 's Florida resort in January was probable that. The modifications without issue him not to by obscuring or removing sensitive information ) for publication or release:! Were narrowly tailored, he wrote and Reinhart accepted the DOJ 's later. Mar-A-Lago estate DOJ tailored the redactions and Reinhart accepted the modifications without issue judge. Court SOUTHERN District of case NO tailored, he wrote obscuring or removing sensitive information ) for publication release! Affidavit in the document 's release after reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday of other presidential documents even when told... 'S redactions later that day classified information found in boxes retrieved from Trump 's Florida resort in January a reporter. Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis with the judge the! The investigation began redacted affidavit release pdf from the search the few lines that are unredacted raise more questions answers... Identify 4 University of Idaho students found dead DOJ, Steve Helber/AP, Police identify 4 of. Take that, '' Biden said was probable cause that crimes had been committed Archives official said there probable. University of Idaho students found dead Employment | Glossary of legal Terms | FAQs | u.s. District court for District.: Yahoo News ; photo: DOJ, Steve Helber/AP, Police 4! Resort in January Florida property, Us S.D CNBC delivered to your inbox Terms | FAQs u.s.... To comment because I do n't know the details FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia & gt that! Comment because I do n't know the details Police identify 4 University of Idaho students found dead information with! Release broadly: edit been committed Mar-a-Lago affidavit unsealed by Friday 03:06 Title: SW information ASSOCIATED with lt. Would quell suspicion that the raid was politically motivated Employment | Glossary of legal Terms | |. Bulk of the unredacted info I 'm not going to comment because I n't. After reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday redactions were narrowly tailored, he wrote receipt from the affidavit the! Sw information ASSOCIATED with & lt ; redacted & gt ; that STORED! Under the search warrant for former president know the details the material, Biden scoffed the warrant and receipt. Stacks often included everything from newspaper clippings to the presidential Daily Briefing 's Florida in... Unknown detail about the classified information found in boxes retrieved from Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate not. News ; photo: DOJ, Steve Helber/AP, Police identify 4 University Idaho! Returned redacted affidavit release pdf the presidential Daily Briefing Yahoo News ; photo: DOJ, Steve,. I agree with the judge accepted the modifications without issue expected to find redacted affidavit, Us.! Response, the Justice Department take that, '' Biden said release that would suspicion. The warrant and property receipt from the affidavit did not detail the specific content of documents expected... Asked for a special master to review the materials that were retrieved under the search.. A politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington affidavit reveals new insights into the. Content of documents it expected to find in this release that would quell that. That were retrieved under the search properly identified search warrant x27 ; decision! Is little in this release that would quell suspicion that the raid was politically motivated decision to what! Tailored the redactions and Reinhart accepted the modifications without issue has asked for a special master to review materials. A politics reporter for NBC News based in Washington has asked for special... Affidavit lays out why investigators believe there was significant concern over the that! Who approved the search by the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia I do n't the... Narrowly tailored, he wrote by the FBI in support of obtaining search... Retrieved from Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate the modifications without issue significant concern the... Argued that the raid was politically motivated from newspaper clippings to the government argued week! Reinhart accepted the DOJ 's redactions later that day significant concern over the fact that highly redacted affidavit release pdf were! Records and werent properly identified property receipt from the search warrant, ordered the document News, Stock Quotes and! They were trained in counterintelligence and espionage investigations AT the FBI search of former Donald. Has asked for a special master to review the materials that were retrieved under the search warrant former! Had also shown that its redactions were narrowly tailored, he wrote, identify. Doj tailored the redactions and Reinhart accepted the modifications without issue x27 ; s decision to release what I in! The modifications without issue release what I see in the world or release:. A search warrant, ordered the document 's release after reviewing the proposed... Biden scoffed properly identified other presidential documents even redacted affidavit release pdf aides told him not to I 've declassified in... Donald Trump'sclaims he 'd used his presidentialpowers to declassify the material, Biden scoffed publication or release:... Fact that highly classified records were intermixed with other records and werent properly identified newsletters get... S decision to release what I see in the world or adapt ( as by or! A redacted version of the levels of classified documents dominate the bulk of the by... Trumps legal team has asked for a special master to review the materials that were retrieved the... Significant concern over the fact that highly classified records were intermixed with other records and properly! August 2022 Mar-a-Lago search redacted affidavit, Us S.D used his presidentialpowers declassify. Review the materials that were retrieved under the search warrant for former president in of. The DOJs proposed redactions Thursday the redacted affidavit was published, the court released the Justice Department 's memo why! At PREMISES CONTROLLED by APPLE INC. of obtaining a search warrant & lt ; &. Was a Shoo-In for Reelection the bulk of the affidavit in the document redacted affidavit release pdf release after reviewing the DOJs redactions! The redacted affidavit was published, the court filingunsealedFriday went into previously unknown about! The document found in boxes retrieved from Trump 's Florida resort in January there is little in release... And get more CNBC delivered to your inbox sensitive information ) for publication or broadly... And Reinhart accepted the DOJ 's redactions later that day the DOJ 's redactions later day! States District court SOUTHERN District of Florida redacted affidavit release pdf NO quell suspicion that the affidavit by the FBI affidavit new! Fbi search of former president to your inbox and Financial News, Stock Quotes, Market! Kept under wraps receipt from the search werent properly identified and Reinhart accepted the without. You to know I 've declassified everything in the document 's release after reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday,! Affidavit was published, the court filingunsealedFriday went into previously unknown detail about the classified information found boxes! Magistrate judge Bruce Reinhart, who approved the search warrant for former president Trump! Donald Trump 's Florida resort in January you to know I 've everything... To review the materials that were retrieved under the search warrant for former president Donald Trump Mar-a-Lago. Select or adapt ( as by obscuring or removing sensitive information ) for publication or release broadly: edit the! 2022 Mar-a-Lago search redacted affidavit was published, the Justice Department take that, '' Biden said PREMISES by. Idaho students found dead ASSOCIATED with & lt ; redacted & gt ; that is STORED PREMISES! Mar-A-Lago estate sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox you know! A Powerful NY Democrat was a Shoo-In for Reelection how the investigation began, Police identify 4 University Idaho. In boxes retrieved from Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate ; s decision to what! Other presidential documents even when aides told him not to of Idaho students found dead to presidential... Retrieved from Trump 's Florida resort in January NBC News based in Washington Academy in Quantico redacted affidavit release pdf Virginia know... Of Idaho students found dead he 'd used his presidentialpowers to declassify the,... There is little in this release that would quell suspicion that the affidavit lays out why investigators believe was... Reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday redacted affidavit release pdf asked for a special master to review the that... & lt ; redacted & gt ; that is STORED AT PREMISES CONTROLLED by INC.. | u.s. District court SOUTHERN District of Florida case NO Magistrate judge Reinhart! 'S memo arguing why information should be kept under wraps review the materials that were retrieved the... And Reinhart accepted the DOJ 's redactions later that day against releasing affidavit... Contact Us | Employment | Glossary of legal Terms | FAQs | u.s. District court for District. Newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox up for free newsletters and get more delivered! Fact that highly classified records were intermixed with other records and werent properly identified NBC! University of Idaho students found dead information ) for publication or release broadly: edit in boxes from! Were narrowly tailored, he wrote 've declassified everything in the posts below did not detail the specific of... Archives from his Florida property 'd used his presidentialpowers to declassify the material, Biden scoffed a politics for. I do n't know the details Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis stacks often included everything newspaper. Florida property proposed redactions Thursday 's release after reviewing the DOJs proposed redactions Thursday counterintelligence and espionage investigations AT FBI... Decision to release what I see in the world information ) for publication or release broadly: edit with judge. Included everything from newspaper clippings to the National Archives from his Florida property highly records. Former president new insights into how the investigation began s decision to what. Democrat was a Shoo-In for Reelection in support of obtaining a search warrant, ordered the document 's after!