DOJ: evidence of classified documents deliberately concealed from FBI prompted Mar-a-Lago search News
The White House // Public domain
DOJ: evidence of classified documents deliberately concealed from FBI prompted Mar-a-Lago search

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a court filing Tuesday that it had evidence that classified documents were deliberately concealed from the FBI, which prompted the search of former president Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.

The filing comes after a Saturday order from Judge Aileen Cannon for the DOJ to respond to Trump’s motion to appoint a “special master” to oversee review of the seized material. The DOJ indicated Monday that they would “file a public response” to the motion.

In its response, the DOJ argued that Trump lacks standing to seek judicial relief as to presidential records because the records do not belong to him. Additionally, the DOJ asserted the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate Trump’s Fourth Amendment challenges to the validity of the search warrant. The DOJ also stated that in the alternative, the appointment of a special master would be “unnecessary” and “inappropriate.”

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday to discuss the appointment of a special master.

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