Affidavit For FBI Raid On Trump's Home: Heavily Redacted, Focused On Documents, 'Classification Markings'
Keneci Channel
U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart signed the FBI's warrant that authorized the Aug. 5, raid on former President Donald Trump's home at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The 38-page affidavit underlying the warrant was unsealed Friday, after the Judge approved Department of Justice’s proposed redactions. Approximately 20 pages were either significantly or fully redacted.
According to the affidavit, FBI said it had "probable cause to believe" that additional records containing classified information, including National Defense Information, would be found on the premises of the former President, beyond what he had previously turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration.
"The government is conducting a criminal investigation concerning the improper removal and storage of classified information in unauthorized spaces, as well as the unlawful concealment or removal of government records," the affidavit states.
The affidavit states that in May, the FBI began reviewing over 15 boxes of records -- which Trump had turned to NARA in January 2022 -- and identified classified records in 14 of the 15 boxes.
The affidavit also states that the FBI's investigation had "established that documents bearing classification markings, which appear to contain National Defense Information (NDI), were among the materials contained" in the 15 boxes Trump initially turned over to the NARA.
"Based on the foregoing facts and circumstances, I submit that probable cause exists to believe that evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed in violation 18 U.S.C. §§ 793(e), 2071, or 1519 will be found at the PREMISES," the affidavit states, adding that the affidavit "supports probable cause for a warrant to search" Mar-a-Lago.
Justifying the redactions, DOJ said, and Reinhart agreed, that full disclosure would reveal "the identities of witnesses, law enforcement agents, and uncharged parties," the investigation's "strategy, direction, scope, sources and methods" and "grand jury information" protected by federal rules.
The allegation of "gathering, transmitting or losing defense information" falls under the Espionage Act.
However Trump and his team say the information and records have been declassified, and that he acted within his right as the president.
The former president reacting to the release of the affidavit Thursday, mocked the redactions by posting a screenshot of the document with caption: "They missed a page!"
READ the heavily redacted affidavit.