During the search, the FBI seized documents in the former US President’s residence.
(Photo: Reuters)
After the US Federal Police FBI searched his property, former US President Donald Trump wants to file a lawsuit to have a neutral auditor appointed. He should see the documents secured during the operation in Mar-a-Lago (Florida) – at the same time the examination by state investigators should be stopped by then, according to a complaint filed by Trump’s lawyers in Florida on Monday.
Trump’s defense attorneys argue that the seized documents may be protected by the US President’s executive privilege: “This matter has drawn the attention of the American public.
Merely “appropriate” safeguards are unacceptable when the matter at hand involves not only President Trump’s constitutional rights but also the preservation of the enforcement of privileges,” the document reads. Executive privilege is the President’s prerogative to keep certain information secret.
The “appointment of a special representative with a fair approach” would therefore be an adequate decision of the court. Trump’s defense attorneys went on to stress that law enforcement should not be used for “political purposes” and that the Mar-a-Lago search was “unprecedented and unnecessary.”
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During a search of Trump’s property two weeks ago, the FBI found and confiscated top-secret documents from his reign. Trump had argued that he released the documents as President. Incumbent presidents do have far-reaching powers to lift secrecy.
But for the release of documents there is a formal procedure with several highly official steps. Trump also claimed that there was a permanent corresponding instruction in place for all documents taken home.
The search caused a stir in the United States and accusations from Trump supporters that the Justice Department was attacking Trump for political reasons. Many Americans expect Trump to soon announce his re-run for the 2024 presidential election.
A judge in the US state of Florida had initiated the partial release of documents in the coming days, on the basis of which the search warrant was approved. However, extensive redactions could result in the document becoming largely unreadable.
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