Washington – On Thursday, the Justice Department decided to print a search warrant used by federal agents to seize documents from former President Donald Trump home in Florida, with Attorney General Merrick Garland said he “personally approved” the extraordinary step look for a warrant.
In brief remarks by the Department of Justice as government submitted your request in federal court, Garland defended move have dozens of federal agents descend on Trump home in Mar-a-Lago, saying that he “does not accept such decisions slightly.” He noted, however, that he was bound by federal law, the department rules and ethical obligations from providing more information about the basis of Search. CBS News reported that the search was related to an investigation into Trump’s documents. took with him when he left White House.
“Faithful following role of law is the basic principle of The Department of Justice and Our Democracy. Supporting rule of “law” means uniform application of the law without fear or favor, he said. “Under my supervision, this is exactly what the Department of Justice is doing. All Americans have the right to an impartial statement of law, due process of Law and presumption of innocence”.
AT decision Department of Justice to ask the court to issue a warrant public was made “in light of in former presidential public confirmation of search, surrounding circumstances and significant interest in in this matter,” Garland said.
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He noted that the warrant was authorized by a federal court. in South Florida” required find of probable cause,” and copies of warrant and list of property seized by the FBI required legally to be left with in property owner – were provided to Trump’s lawyers on day of Search.
One of Trump Attorneys, Lindsey Halligan, confirmed by CBS News what she and second lawyer Christina Bobb, former TV presenter for the far-right One America News network was in Mar-a-Lago while the search was underway.
In his submission in US District Court for Southern District of Florida, the Department of Justice cited “intensive public interest” in Search of a former residence of the president to address a federal magistrate in Florida print a search warrant and accompanying documents information as well as list of seized items”Unless there are objections from former the president”.
“Press and public enjoy a qualified Correctly of access to criminal court proceedings and court records stored therein,” wrote U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez and Jay Bratt. head of Department of Counterintelligence and Export Control of the Ministry of Justice. They are added that “public clear as well as powerful interest in understanding of what happened in these circumstances places a heavy burden on in service of printing”.
The judge quickly ordered the federal prosecutors to give with Trump’s lawyers and determine whether they object to the request to open the warrant and related documents by setting a deadline of 15:00 Friday for Trump team is the answer.
AT late night post on his social media website, former President Trump says he won’t object to release of warrant and is in fact “ENCOURAGE Liberation” of documents relating to what he called “an un-American, unjustified, and unnecessary raid and break-in”.in of my home in Palm Beach.
Union New York Times and Times of Albany, New York, along with in conservative organization Judicial Watch, separate requests filed with court on Receiving environment access to all documents, including any underlying affidavit related to the search warrant. CBS News on Thursday requested join the Times’ efforts to issue a search warrant and other related materials public.
Garland’s comments come amid growing pressure from Republicans to demand that the FBI conduct a raid on Mar-a-Lago. AT former The President reported on the search, and sources confirmed to CBS News that it was connected to the Justice Department’s investigation into Trump’s actions. of presidential records. In January, the National Archives and Records Administration got 15 crates of presidential records, some of which contained secret national safety materialfrom Mar-a-Lago and asked the Ministry of Justice research.
During an FBI search took boxes and documents, two sources confirmed to CBS News, and no electronics were involved. One official said some or perhaps all of the seized records contained secret information.
Sources are familiar with It is reported by CBS News. on Thursday that federal grand the jury issued a subpoena in connection with the investigation of the document in in the spring, before officials of the Ministry of Justice met with Trump Lawyers in Mar-a-Lago in June regarding entries. AT online news Exit Just News first announced the existence of subpoena.
Trump and his Republican Party allies were quick to condemn the unprecedented search, claiming without evidence that it was politically motivated. attack against a likely rival for Mr. Biden in 2024 House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. promised to investigate Justice Department if Republicans win control of house in November midterm elections, telling Garland in tweet to save notes and prepare to testify next year.
But Garland defended the department from Republican attacks on its authority and independence.
“I will not remain silent when their integrity is unfairly attacked,” he said. ” men as well as women of FBI and DOJ committed to their cause, patriot public servants. Every day they protect an American people a form of violent crime, terrorism and other threats to their safety while protecting our civil rights.”
the white house is not know in in advance that Garland would be making a statement, and officials learned of it’s through news reports, White House official told CBS News in advance of his remarks. President Biden left Washington on Wednesday for a vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Robert Costa and Andrés Triai provided reporting.
