Justice Department Argues Against Trump’s Request

Justice Department Argues Against Trump’s Request

In response to former President Trump’s request that a special master is appointed to evaluate the records seized in the August 8 raid on Mar-a-Lago, the Department of Justice wrote to Judge Aileen Cannon of the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday.

The Department of Justice argued that a special master, an independent attorney appointed by the court to oversee a portion of the case, would jeopardize national security.

The Department of Justice said in a court filing that Trump does not have the authority to appoint a special master. The government cautioned that appointing the watchdog could compromise national security, as reported by CNBC. The Department also said it had evidence that government papers were likely disguised and removed from a storage room at Trump’s residence at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach .according to the New York Times.

Before a court-appointed special master could examine the materials seized in the raid, Trump filed suit to prevent a further investigation by the Justice Department. That’s done when there’s a potential that some evidence should be concealed from prosecutors due to various legal rights, the publication noted.

The Department of Justice replied to Judge Cannon, As an initial matter, the former President lacks standing to seek court remedy or oversight as to Presidential records since those documents do not belong to him. In a court brief submitted on Tuesday, the Department of Justice alleged that the FBI had uncovered various sources of information indicating… that classified papers remained” at Mar-a-Lago.

The DOJ concluded that In addition, the government discovered evidence that federal records were likely disguised and removed from the Storage Room and that steps were likely conducted to hinder the government’s investigation,

Days after Judge Cannon indicated her preliminary intent to appoint a special master to evaluate records that the FBI obtained from Mar-a-Lago, the Justice Department filed its motion.

According to Fox News, Cannon explained that the decision was taken after hearing from the former president’s lawyers and considering the unique circumstances presented. This Thursday at 1:00 p.m. local time in West Palm Beach, Florida, there will be a hearing. President Donald Trump’s legal team has been given till Wednesday (8/31) to file a response.

CNN earlier reported that District Court Judge Aileen Cannon in the Southern District of Florida had instructed Trump’s lawyers to explain what Trump is asking for and whether the Justice Department has been served with Trump’s special master request.

The Article Mentioned That Cannon has also urged Trump’s team to weigh in on any influence the request would have on a separate review done by a magistrate judge into whether any portions of the still-sealed FBI document outlining probable cause for the search can be published,

Meanwhile, U.S. Magistrate Bruce Reinhart, the judge who authorized the FBI’s search warrant, acknowledged last week that the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago was unusual. This was despite an argument from the Department of Justice. Despite the Justice Department’s request to keep the affidavit under wraps, Reinhart filed paperwork opposing the motion, noting “strong public and historical interest.