Donald Trump lawyers decide to halt FBI review of classified Mar-a-Lago documents | American News

Donald Trump’s lawyers have asked a federal judge to block the FBI from continuing to review documents recovered from his estate in Florida until a neutral special master can be appointed to inspect the records.

The request was included in a court filing, the first filed by the former US president’s legal team within two weeks of the search, which largely targets the FBI’s investigation into the discovery of classified documents at Mar-a -The girlfriend.

The filing presents the August 8 raid, in which the FBI said it recovered 11 sets of classified documents, as a “shockingly aggressive move” and describes Mr Trump and its representatives as having cooperated for months.

“Law enforcement is a shield that protects America. They cannot be used as a weapon for political gain,” the attorneys wrote Monday.

Explainer: Why the FBI raided Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate – and what it’s investigating

“Therefore, we seek legal assistance following an unprecedented and unnecessary raid at Mar-a-Lago.”

The filing specifically calls for the appointment of a special master unrelated to the case who would inspect recovered records and set aside those covered by executive privilege — a principle that allows presidents to exempt certain communications from scrutiny. public disclosure.

“This case has captured the attention of the American public. Mere ‘adequate’ safeguards are not acceptable when the case in question involves not only the constitutional rights of President Trump, but also the presumption of executive privilege,” the authors wrote. lawyers.

Separately on Monday, a federal judge acknowledged that redactions to an FBI affidavit setting out the basis of the search could be so extensive that they would render the document “meaningless” if made public.

But US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart said he continued to believe it should not remain sealed in its entirety due to “intense” public interest in the investigation.

Justice Department officials want to keep the entire document sealed, saying releasing any part of it risks compromising an ongoing criminal investigation, revealing information about witnesses and disclosing techniques for ‘investigation.

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