The Justice Department revealed it is opposing the release of the underlying affidavit justifying its unprecedented raid of Mar-a-Lago this month, just days after it agreed to unseal the warrant approving the search of former President Donald Trump‘s Florida resort.
“There remain compelling reasons, including to protect the integrity of an ongoing law enforcement investigation that implicates national security, that support keeping the affidavit sealed,” DOJ lawyers declared on Monday, also indicating, however, they would be open to releasing redacted portions of other related documents.
Trump is being investigated for a potential Espionage Act violation and possible obstruction of justice, according to the warrant unsealed Friday, which cited 18 U.S. Code 793 (part of the Espionage Act) related to “gathering, transmitting, or losing defense information.” Despite its name, many of the law’s provisions don’t relate specifically to espionage.
The warrant also pointed to 18 U.S. Code 2071 on “concealment, removal, or mutilation generally” and 18 U.S. Code 1519 on “destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in Federal investigations and bankruptcy.” The latter relates to potential obstruction of justice.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
