Mar-a-Lago search warrant released, reveals FBI seized top-secret classified documents

The federal authorities is investigating former President Trump for potential violation of three prison statutes, together with the Espionage Act, in accordance with the unsealed search warrant that was executed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence Monday and reviewed by CBS News. The FBI seized 11 units of classified documents, together with 4 units that have been classified “top secret,” in accordance with the warrant.

According to the unsealed warrant, the FBI collected bins marked prime secret, secret and confidential, in addition to documents marked prime secret/delicate compartmented information, photographs and information concerning the president of France, amongst different issues. 

The ex-president’s protection crew on Friday didn’t object to the warrant’s launch. Trump himself mentioned late Thursday in an announcement that he inspired the warrant’s launch. On Friday, he posted on Truth Social forward of the warrant’s launch that the documents have been “all declassified” and the FBI “didn’t need to ‘seize anything.'” 

“They could have had it anytime they wanted without playing politics and breaking into Mar-a-Lago. It was in secured storage, with an additional lock put on as per their request,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

According to the warrant, federal legislation enforcement officers are investigating the previous president for the destruction, removing or destruction of information, obstruction of an investigation, and violating a provision of the Espionage Act associated to gathering, transmitting or dropping protection information. 

The search warrant was signed by a choose in federal court docket in Florida on August 5, a number of days forward of the search. 

Exactly what information the FBI took throughout its search is just not but clear, though two sources informed CBS News on Monday that the FBI took bins and documents whereas executing the search warrant on the former president’s Florida dwelling. The sources mentioned no electronics have been taken. 

Property that may be seized, in accordance with the warrant, entailed “all physical documents and records constituting evidence, contraband, fruits of crime or other items illegally possessed in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 793, 2071, or 1519,” the relevant authorized codes. 

The warrant utilized to any authorities or presidential report created between Jan. 20, 2017 and Jan. 20, 2021, any information with classification documents, and any information concerning the retrieval, storage or transmission of nationwide protection information or classified materials. Federal authorities had permission to search the “45 Office,” all storage rooms, and all different rooms or areas used or out there to the previous president and his workers during which information could possibly be saved. 

“The Biden administration is in obvious damage control after their botched raid where they seized the president’s picture books, a ‘hand written note,’ and declassified documents,” Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich mentioned in an announcement Friday. “This raid of President Trump’s home was not just unprecedented, but unnecessary—and now they are leaking lies and innuendos to try to explain away the weaponization of government against their dominant political opponent. This is outrageous.”

In 2018, then-President Trump signed a legislation upgrading mishandling secret information from a misdemeanor to a felony. The signing adopted Republican criticisms of Hillary Clinton’s dealing with of classified information. 

Several former NSC and White House officers below Trump informed CBS News that the previous president was well-known for the cavalier method he dealt with classified information. 

“Obviously, yes, there were concerns about him mishandling classified information,” one former NSC official, who would solely converse on background, informed CBS in a telephone interview, when requested about issues by NSC officers.  The official mentioned Trump “mishandled” classified information with the Japanese and with the Russians. “That pissed people off,” the official mentioned. “We were very very careful about it.”

A senior former Trump White House official confirmed to CBS News that Trump had a behavior of studying documents, tearing them into items and depositing them within the rubbish can.

Lower-level workers would painstakingly piece again collectively the documents with tape. 

This former official described Trump as having “disdain” for the information retention course of.   

Major Garrett contributed to this report.