Washington The search of Donald Trump’s property in Florida made headlines worldwide – now the partial publication of an investigation document reveals new details about the allegations against the former US President. The Justice Department in Washington released the document on Friday, on the basis of which the search of the private Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach was authorized.
However, about half of the more than 30 pages have been blacked out to protect sensitive information. The document also provides information about the FBI’s initial suspicions against Trump.
Accordingly, 14 of 15 boxes of papers that the 76-year-old had sent to the National Archives from Mar-a-Lago earlier this year contained confidential and sometimes top-secret documents. 184 documents were classified: 67 as “confidential”, 92 as “secret” and 25 as “top secret”. There were handwritten notes on some – probably by Trump himself. The FBI complained that secret documents had been found together with other papers.
Investigations revealed that classified documents, which appeared to include national defense-related information, were being held at an unauthorized location at Trump’s home, it said.
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The FBI argued there was reason to believe other classified documents were there. “There is also reason to believe that evidence of obstruction will be found on the premises.” It was initially unclear whether this meant obstructing the investigation or the usual government processes regarding documents.
A judge in Florida had ordered the partial publication of the paper – in view of the great public interest. Several media had requested disclosure in court. The federal police FBI searched Mar-a-Lago on August 8th. The background is the Republican’s handling of documents from his tenure as President. Because Trump kept the records at his private estate, he may have broken the law. This is now being investigated.
The search had caused a stir. Investigators searching the home of a former president is considered unprecedented in US history. In addition, Trump has been fueling speculation for weeks that he could soon announce a bid for the next presidential election in November 2024. The investigations are therefore doubly politically sensitive.
The ex-president criticized the actions of the authorities as politically motivated and defended himself with a lawsuit. On Friday, too, he expressed his indignation and once again described the action against him as a “witch hunt”. The Republican sees the search as an attempt to prevent him from running again. This could help him mobilize his base: in the past, Trump has tried to gain political advantage from the role of perceived victim who is harassed by the “establishment” and political competition.
The FBI search had caused a stir.
(Photo: AP)
At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is under special scrutiny in this unprecedented case. It is accused of having a political agenda behind the investigation. As unusual as the deployment is, the publication of essential procedural documents is also unusual – even if, as now, large parts have been blacked out. In particular, the justification for the search warrant that has now been published is not normally something that leaks out during ongoing investigations.
In view of the great pressure, Attorney General Merrick Garland had previously initiated the publication of the search warrant and proof of the confiscated items. Accordingly, the agents actually found what they were looking for at Trump: Among other things, they confiscated a set of documents classified as “Top Secret/SCI”, which are top secret and may only be viewed in special government institutions. Four sets of documents were classified as “Top Secret”, three more as “Secret”, and the remaining three as “Confidential”.
Trump rejects the allegations: He claims that the documents have been released and that the secrecy has been lifted. But it’s not that easy. Incumbent presidents do have far-reaching powers to release information and lift secrecy. However, there is a formal procedure for this, and further approvals are sometimes required. In addition, it does not necessarily matter whether the documents were declassified, as the unauthorized storage of documents related to national defense can also be a criminal offence. This is also made clear in the document that has now been published – in a footnote.
More: America’s Fragile Democracy