DOJ, Trump at odds over release of affidavit used in Mar-a-Lago search

A judge will decide whether or not information leading to the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence will become public. The Department of Justice has asked a court to keep the law enforcement affidavit used to obtain a search warrant of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence sealed. At the same time, Trump and Republican leaders have called for it to be released unredacted.

The DOJ told the court the release of the affidavit would undermine the investigation. According to a court filing to the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida, the DOJ said the affidavit should remain sealed “to protect the integrity of an ongoing law enforcement investigation that implicates national security.” Prosecutors have indicated that the affidavit contained sensitive information regarding the testimony of witnesses in the investigation. The investigation revolves around classified materials the FBI said were kept at the Mar-a-Lago residence.

Threats against law enforcement and political tensions have grown following the FBI’s search. A Pennsylvania man was arrested Monday after calling for the death of all FBI agents on social media. Trump has asked for “the temperature to be brought down” and said his team reached out to the DOJ reportedly asking how it could help the country.