Given the “important public interest” in this case, Merrick Garland asked that the mandate allowing this operation be declassified.
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Posted on 08/12/2022 11:19 AM Updated on 08/12/2022 11:26 AM
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The US Attorney General on Thursday, August 11, reiterated that he had “personally authorized” the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Merrick Garland did not disclose the reasons for or results of this operation. But unusually, given the “important public interest” in the case, he asked that the warrant that made the search possible be lifted.
According to several American media outlets, the FBI operation aimed to find archival documents that Donald Trump may have taken when he left the White House. However, American presidents are required to keep all of their emails, letters, and other working documents in the National Archives, which is responsible for preservation. Some of the documents stored in Florida are classified and related to nuclear weapons, according to anonymous sources cited by The Washington Post.
Donald Trump, who has suggested the FBI may have “planted” evidence against him in the operation, said he would not oppose “the release” of the warrant. On the contrary, the billionaire intends to “go further by promoting the immediate release” of these documents, according to a press release published overnight from Thursday to Friday. After the search was announced, the Republican camp sharply criticized the FBI and accused the Justice Department of participating in a “witch hunt” against the former president.