Blacked-out affidavit shows Trump had taken ‘top secret’ documents home to Mar-a-Lago
Fourteen of the 15 boxes retrieved during an FBI raid on former US president Donald Trump’s Florida residence contained classified records, with 25 of the documents marked top secret, an affidavit has revealed.
The 32-page affidavit, even in its redacted form, contains additional details about an ongoing criminal investigation into Mr Trump as he lays the groundwork for another presidential run.
Released by the US Justice Department, it highlights the amount of sensitive government documents located at Mar-a-Lago and FBI concerns that the records were retained illegally.
While there are a number of details relating to the investigation, officials also redacted large chunks to protect the identity of witnesses and to avoid revealing sensitive investigative tactics.
The FBI submitted the affidavit to a judge so it could obtain a warrant to search Mr Trump’s property on 8 August.
According to the document, an unidentified FBI agent said the US National Archives had discovered “documents bearing classification markings” containing “national defense information”.
The agent said the Justice Department had reason to believe there were more such records that had not been returned to the government still sitting inside Mr Trump’s home.
More on Donald Trump
-
Redacted version of Mar-a-Lago search warrant affidavit set to be made public on Friday
-
Donald Trump lawyers move to halt FBI review of Mar-a-Lago classified documents
-
Teflon Don: Will the Republican Party stick with Donald Trump?
Related Topics:
- Donald Trump
- Florida
Mr Trump reacted on social media, writing: “Affidavit heavily redacted!!! Nothing mentioned on “Nuclear,” a total public relations subterfuge by the FBI & DOJ, or our close working relationship regarding document turnover – WE GAVE THEM MUCH.
“Judge Bruce Reinhart should NEVER have allowed the Break-In of my home. He recused himself two months ago from one of my cases based on his animosity and hatred of your favorite President, me.
“What changed? Why hasn’t he recused himself on this case? Obama must be very proud of him right now!”
