FBI took 11 sets of classified material from Trump's Mar-a-Lago home while investigating possible Espionage Act violations
Category: News & Politics
Via: tig • 3 years ago • 77 commentsBy: Katelyn Polantz, Zachary Cohen, Sara Murray and Marshall Cohen (CNN)
This story is growing teeth. Stay tuned.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
(CNN)The Justice Department removed 11 sets of classified documents from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence while executing a search warrant this week for possible violations of the Espionage Act and other crimes, according to court documents unsealed and released on Friday.
The property receipt, which was also released on Friday, for Trump's Mar-a-Lago home shows that some of the materials recovered were marked as "top secret/SCI" -- one of the highest levels of classification.
The search warrant identifies three federal crimes that the Justice Department is looking at as part of its investigation: violations of the Espionage Act, obstruction of justice and criminal handling of government records. The inclusion of the crimes indicates the Justice Department has probable cause to investigate those offenses as it was gathering evidence in the search. No one has been charged with a crime at this time.
The warrant receipt didn't detail the subject of these classified documents but did note that federal agents seized just one set marked "top secret/SCI." Agents also took four sets of "top secret" documents, three sets of "secret" documents, and three sets of "confidential" documents, court documents show.
In total, the unsealed warrant shows the FBI collected more than 20 boxes, as well as binders of photos, sets of classified government materials and at least one handwritten note. The warrant, which has been unsealed and released publicly following a federal judge's order on Friday, was obtained by CNN ahead of its release. The moment marks an unprecedented week that began with the search -- an evidence-gathering step in a national security investigation.
Search warrant reveals new details about scope of FBI probe
While details about the documents themselves remain scarce, the laws cited in the warrant offer new insight into what the FBI was looking for when it searched Trump's home, an unprecedented step that has prompted a firestorm of criticism from the former President's closest allies.
The laws cover "destroying or concealing documents to obstruct government investigations" and the unlawful removal of government records, according to the search warrant released Friday. Also among the laws listed is one known as the Espionage Act, which relates to the "retrieval, storage, or transmission of national defense information or classified material." All three criminal laws cited in the warrant are from Title 18 of the United States Code. None of them solely hinge on whether information was deemed to be unclassified.
One of the less-sensitive items taken from Trump's resort, according to a the property receipt, was a document about pardoning Roger Stone, a staunch Trump ally who was convicted in 2019 of lying to Congress during its probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. (Trump pardoned Stone before leaving office, shielding Stone from a three-year prison term.) It's unclear how the Stone-related document seized during the search is tied to the broader criminal probe into Trump's potential mishandling of classified materials. During the search, FBI agents also recovered material about the "President of France," according to the warrant receipt.
FBI agents searched '45 Office' at Mar-a-Lago
The court documents released Friday also offer new details about the search itself and revealed that FBI agents were only allowed access to specific locations within Mar-a-Lago as they combed Trump's resort residence for potential evidence of crimes. The judge authorized the FBI to search what the bureau called the "45 Office," an apparent reference to Trump's place in history as the 45th President. Agents were also permitted to search "all other rooms or areas" at Mar-a-Lago that were available to Trump and his staff for storing boxes and documents. "The locations to be searched include the '45 Office,' all storage rooms, and all other rooms or areas within the premises used or available to be used by FPOTUS and his staff and in which boxes or documents could be stored, including all structures or buildings on the estate," the warrant says, using the acronym "FPOTUS" to refer to the Former President of the United States. The FBI's warrant application to the judge specifically said that federal agents would avoid areas being rented or used by third parties, "such as Mar-a-Lago members" and "private guest suites." Trump owns the sprawling estate, and it is his primary residence as well as a members-only club and resort. "It is described as a mansion with approximately 58 bedrooms, 33 bathrooms, on a 17-acre estate," FBI agents told the judge in their application, describing the Mar-a-Lago property.
Trump did not oppose release of search warrant
The FBI search at the resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday was followed by days of silence from the Justice Department, as is the department's normal practice for ongoing investigations. Then on Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the department had moved to unseal the search warrant and two attachments, including an inventory list, but also stressed that some of the department's work must happen outside of public view. "We do that to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans and to protect the integrity of our investigations," Garland said, while explaining that he would not provide more detail about the basis of the search. Trump said in a late-night post on his Truth Social platform Thursday that he would "not oppose the release of documents," adding: "I am going a step further by ENCOURAGING the immediate release of those documents."
The court had instructed the Justice Department to confer with Trump about its request to unseal the warrant documents from the FBI search and to tell the court by 3 p.m. ET Friday if he opposes their release. Trump's team had contacted outside attorneys about how to proceed, and the former President's orbit was caught off guard by Garland's announcement. In a pair of posts to Truth Social following Garland's statement, Trump continued to claim that his attorneys were "cooperating fully" and had developed "very good relationships" with federal investigators prior to Monday's search at Mar-a-Lago. "The government could have had whatever they wanted, if we had it," Trump said. "Everything was fine, better than most previous Presidents, and then, out of nowhere and with no warning, Mar-a-Lago was raided, at 6:30 in the morning, by VERY large numbers of agents, and even 'safecrackers.'"
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.
CNN's Marshall Cohen contributed to this report,
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How on Earth was this allowed to happen?
Both Hillary and Obama did it so it seems that a precedent has been set.../S
Yeah when Trump opens his mouth lies will surely ooze out.
Unless he's chewing up docs.
The toilet flushes into his mouth?
That's his favored option.
But, but he had not one lock, but two, count them, two, on the door to the storage area of Mar-a-Lardo
That's absolutely top notch, tip top high level security right there when it comes to securing such documents which again he shouldn't have had in the first place
Hey, Melania chose the locks when 'she' renovated the joint in 2018 ...
espionage by the former POTUS, that's going to be a tough one to spin...
Yeah, only anti American trash can vote for a politician investigated for espionage act violations.
I don't know about other politicians but trump is the only president investigated for espionage act violations.
I wouldn't say all trump voters are "anti American trash" but all are seriously misguided.
I seem to remember a former Secretary of State being investigated for espionage act violations.
but, but, but, what about...
there you go, fixed, no charge...
Lol.. just say you’ve got nothin..
so funny to watch.
Whatabout arguments expose hypocrisy. If your argument isn’t full of it, you should be able to handle it. If it is, well, you are reduced to doing what you do.
only anti American trash will support a politician investigated for espionage act violatio
harsh but fair indictment of Those who supported Hillary Clinton.
ok, now that was funny .
Personally I didn't support Hillary Clinton.
The FBI found at the time that no charges were appropriate in her case.
Well good for you. Do you also remember a former Secretary of State being cleared of all charges?
What has actually happened? Why did it take18 months for this oversight to become a national story?
Hillary had many classified emails on her unsecured home server....where was the outtrage
but, but, but, what about...
Trump's home was the location of a legal search and seizure by the FBI. In result, classified documents were removed including some at the highest level of classification.
I am sure you have an hypothesis.
You missed the outrage?
Here is some perspective to consider:
The same question so many times?
Why not ask the FPOTUS why he had 26 boxes of questionable paper
material at Maralago?
Why not ask him what he has squirrelled away at Bedminster or Trump Towers?
Why deflect to someone else's emails?
It's the squirrel defense...''Look over there it's a squirrel.''
Every professional espionage service in the world was aware that beginning by at least 2014 and continuing right up to election day 2016 Trump was in secret negotiations with Vlad Putin to build Trump Tower Moscow. He even offered Putin a luxury penthouse as a bribe. Donald Trump Junior and Rudy Giuliani and Michael Cohen have exhaustively confirmed these are the facts
If that isn't collusion with Russia, then what in Hell would be?
El Trumpo has always been a threat to our national security!
What were they so fond of chanting again and again at his pep rallies for the new Cult Classic Congregation for the mentally inefficient 'Right', to lose your mind and follow one over the cliff because you remain blind...LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! ore, the irony of some Fe male version of such, cause, this really is clutch, as they have done shifted into new territories with these latest allegations, which have already borne fruit of the loom for the naked and afraid emperor, whose clothes only close minds that think about reaching new lows from behinds picked like a wedgie, driven between US All
The time for asking questions is over. Garland must produce an indictment and SOON!
Because?
Big Red Wave Theory. Even Miranda Devine's 'Laptop from Hell' polling numbers are shrinking when it comes to Republicans.
"Why deflect to someone else's emails?"
Why not? What Comey let her off for was far worse than than anything Trump might have done.
It's very likely her disingenuous duplicity cost her losing to Trump.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2022/08/13/it-seems-like-the-justice-department-forgot-to-read-this-key-memo-before-ransacking-maralago-n2611692?utm_campaign=rightrailsticky1
"Because?"
Because anything less, in the eyes of the people (voters), will be looked upon as yet another failed political stunt by the Democrats
I do not buy Vic’s or your time table for when an indictment must ensue. What is far more important are the facts. If we never get an indictment and trial then this is bad optics for the Ds. If an indictment is coming then it makes great sense for Garland to have an iron-clad case.
The way Comey handled it was inappropriate and I am sure Clinton thinks it cost her the election.
A partisan & personal opinion.
"Hillary's emails" is just a dog whistle for Mr. Trump and most of his base.
Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Miller, Cohn, Bannon, McFarland and Priebus all did the
same as reported by the WSJ and the Washington Post. Private encrypted emails.
House Democrats Probe White House Officials’ Email Use - WSJ
But their emails: Seven members of Trump’s team have used unofficial communication tools - The Washington Post
Because Vic said so?
Really? Prove they sent and stored Top Secret/Special Acces Programs on private email.
But we'll put you down for believing Trump's top secret info is just a dog whistle.
Well the Trump Attorney acting on Trump's behalf in June
must be squirming now since he signed a document ( affidavit?) proclaiming that there
were no more con/TS/SCIF documents at Mar a lago after the first subpoena was
"satisfied" by the eventual removal of the first 15 boxes from basement storage at the
Country Club "residence".
27 boxes and 11 sets of TS later...on 08/07/2022.
The SCIF documents are all tracked meticulously and the proper authorities are now
questioning the last people to sign them out to see how they ended up in the FPOTUS's
possession.
It would not be the first time someone working for Trump wound up taking the heat.
today a friend with a high security clearance told me in no uncertain terms that trump is f'd over having those documents. but on a positive note for trumpski, he also told me that historically the US has traded people in possession of those documents back to russia in exchange for others.
funny ending there , but there are still some IFs to fill in , like IF those documents are still classified currently even if they had their classification downgraded in the last year and a half , or IF he wasnt suppose to have them in the first place just as a couple of examples .
I would agree IF it was any joe schmoe he would likely be right , but we all also know that past a certain level , there are different rules for the average joe and the supposed politicals no matter what party is involved
Just have to wait and see . im just wondering who will end up with the egg on their face , could be either , could also be neither .
You mean why didn't then President Trump simply declassify them?
The warrant asked for every document Trump came in contact with during his term in office:
I wonder if some or all of these "top secret" documents have anything to do with those sham investigations of Trump and his associates?
No, that is not at all what I meant. A PotUS cannot simply declassify documents at high levels. There is a formal procedure for declassification that requires others beyond simply the PotUS.
What I meant is how did our system allow documents of the highest level of classification to leave the protection of the US government and wind up in the home of an individual?
You wonder. Based on what, exactly? What evidence do you have that supports this ⇡ NOT being yet another conspiracy theory?
What is it with you and Questionable and banned sources?
No, it does not.
You do realize ( as I believe the writers at Geller must be intelligent enough to know )
that the Warrant only applies to documents found at 1100 Ocean Circle Drive
( Mar a Lago )
and the yellow highlighted dates excludes all other discovery of evidence of crimes
outside of the dates listed.
Simply amazing that Pamela Geller or anyone could ignore this part of the Warrant and come to that conclusion.
smh
I can understand why he would want to keep his love letters from Lil' Kim or his Sharpie marked National Weather Map, but these belong to the American people and they should be enjoyed in a museum.
Yes. It looks like the raid was a fishing expedition for the J6 committee. The "classified documents" claim seems pretextual, especially since none of the crimes listed on the warrant require classified documents. The "every record " created during your presidency is incredibly broad and designed for just such a fishing expedition.
Most likely Garland will simply hand them a report in September.
If the 'fishing expedition' has indeed uncovered top secret, classified documents (especially SCI) and Trump has not cooperated in their movement to a secured government facility then this 'fishing expedition' was a well-justified act for national security.
But we do not yet know the details. Maybe the found TS/SCI documents in question were declassified. If so, we will have records showing this because declassification is a formal process. Maybe Trump was cooperating with the movement. If so then Garland, Wray, et. al. will be in very deep shit.
Let's follow the facts as they arise.
Please, lets not get carried away with assuming there is a viable side of the story belonging to Trump. For one thing, it would be a first. There may be a first time for everything but not with this guy.
The key to objective analysis is to accept the possibility of scenarios from all sides of the debate and then use facts and logic to approach the truth.
Thus even though Trump is likely at fault, I will not reject the possibility that he has done no wrong in this case. I would be quite surprised if he were innocent, but that is not a sound reason to reject the possibility.
Its also possible he is a secret drag queen. Anything is possible, I try to deal in probabilities.
Putting forth a ridiculous possibility intentionally misses the point. Obviously the considered possibilities are scenarios that are within the realm of reason and apply to the question at hand.
It is not sound analysis to reject the possibility that Trump did no wrong. Acknowledging the possibility is not going to change the truth but rejecting it inserts bias and disrupts objective analysis.
Trump may have some wiggle room. The law in question leaves the door open for "misunderstandings". And if there was ever a person who has made his living on "misunderstandings", that would be DJT.
You may be right and he might indeed wiggle out of yet another situation. He sure does seem to skirt consequences.
Only the best and brightest that money can buy
Anybody with even half a brain knows that Trump has been a serial criminal for his whole life.
List one thing he has been indicted/convicted for criminally
Anybody with a normal brain can recognize that for bullshit.
Is what Trump did worse than pulling the tags off of a mattress? Yes, of course, it is and it was and no, Trump did not declassify the whole lot...
He wrestled with the box spring, till it laid him out, for a torrid autumn looking for possibly another, to take the Fall.
He just can't stop lying can he.
It's a thing that psychopaths just have to do. They can't help themselves.
This is something that needs to be cleared up:
Why would it take a year? Seems something very simple that could be rectified very quickly.
Nicely done!
I didn't create the graphic. It's from a page explaining Zeno's paradoxes.
It took me a little bit...Haha
Additional perspective:
Remember when the goppers slandered Merrick Garland, a lifelong rock solid Republican, to cheat him out of a seat on the Supreme Court?
Remember when Trump unfairly ruined the careers of a whole slew of our nation's top law enforcement professionals? Do you remember all of the good solid lifelong Republicans like Robert Mueller, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Rod Rosenstein and many many others who Trump ruined unfairly? The Turrells never forgot and neither have the gop's Republican Victims.
Outside Fox's Magaverse this is not playing well with America!
MAGA nutters are pretending like Trump did nothing wrong...
Merrick Garland just made sure El Trumpo knows it was him!
The maximum penalty for violations of The Espionage Act is death!
Except now we know Trump was engaging in espionage. Ha Ha!
Stop teasing me!
If the wheels of American justice run at their usual speed, we should have the answers by 2027.