Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States has filed a lawsuit to block the Department of Justice from viewing materials seized at Mar-a-Lago that may fall under executive privilege or attorney-client privilege until an independent watchdog is appointed.
“President Donald J. Trump (“Movant”), through his undersigned counsel, respectfully files this Motion For Judicial Oversight and Additional Relief, which seeks an order that: (a) appoints a Special Master; (b) enjoins further review of seized materials by the Government until a Special Master is appointed; (c) requires the Government to provide a more detailed Recepit of Property; and (d) requires the Government to return any item seized that was not within the scope of the Search Warrant,” the motion, filed on Monday, August 22, read.
In the introduction to Donald Trump’s motion, the former president’s counsel, M. Evan Corcoran, attests to the following facts about the case.
“Politics cannot be allowed to impact the administration of justice,” the motion states. “President Donald J. Trump is the clear frontrunner in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary and in the 2024 General Election, should he decide to run. Beyond that, his endorsement in the 2022 mid-term elections has been decisive for Republican candidates.”
“On August 8, 2022, in a shockingly agressive move — and with no understanding of the distress that it would cause most Americans — roughly two dozen Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), directed by attorneys of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “Government”), raided the home of President Donald J. Trump,” the statement continued.
“According to the Government, the agents seized documents, privileged and/or potentially privileged materials, and other iterms — including photos, handwritten notes, and even President Trump’s passports — that were outside the lawful reach of an already overly broad warrant,” the motion added. “President Trump, like all citizens, is protected by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Property seized in violation of his constitutional rights must be returned forthwith.”
“Law enforcement is a shield that protects Americans,” the motion states. “It cannot be used as a weapon for political purposes. Therefore, we seek judicial assitance in the aftermath of an unprecedented and unnecessary raid on President Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida.”
The motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida can be read in full below:
gov.uscourts.flsd.618763.1.0 by Brandon Conradis
This is breaking news. It will be updated as more information is forthcoming.
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