Bratt argued that releasing the FBI affidavits underlying the search justification would not allow the source of the testimony to be released. It argued that it could jeopardize "multiple witnesses," which were sufficiently specific. They are easy to identify.
"This is not a precedent we want to set," Bratt said.
Reinhardt is unlikely to order the release of his FBI affidavit, but the hearing was his first opportunity to address the matter since his FBI raid. Documents containing confidential information. Last week, Reinhart announced a very rare motion by the Justice Department to unseal the search warrant itself, a decision announced by Attorney General Merrick Garland amid a torrent of attacks from Trump and his allies. approved. The warrant revealed that the agency was investigating potential violations of the Espionage Act and the Presidential Records Act, as well as obstruction of justice.
Several media organizations called for Reinhardt to open the affidavit immediately, on grounds of extraordinary public interest, but to protect the integrity of the investigation.
"The public interest could not be greater," said Chuck Tobin, an attorney representing the media group.
Justice Department prosecutors have argued that the affidavits would require extensive redaction to the point of being useless.
said. "It doesn't enlighten the public in any meaningful way."
Although Bratt's comments suggested the investigation could hang on Trump for some time. , could be seen as suggesting further progress in the investigation is unlikely before the November midterm elections.
Prior to Thursday's hearing, several former officials and legal commentators said a high-profile search and seizure operation in early August had led to public scrutiny in recent months. I predicted that it might be the last thing I hear about.
Reinhardt has been the target of an onslaught of threats and anti-Semitic attacks. He may be able to deal with extreme rhetoric from some of the former president's supporters. In the federal court system, magistrates like Reinhardt are appointed by district court judges. He has held the position since his 2018.
Some Republican lawmakers harshly criticized Reinhart, accusing him of unfounded prejudice against Trump. Trump and his allies have also attacked the FBI for alleged political motives in the search for Mar-a-Lago, claiming, without evidence, that material was planted there. and his supporters said they had watched the search unfold remotely via Mar-a-Lago security cameras.
Trump attorney Christina Bob was spotted in court on Thursday.It is unclear whether Reinhart will invite Trump's lawyers to speak in court. Bob told reporters that she had come to observe.
Trump has repeatedly stepped up his attacks on the FBI, despite the FBI warning of a barrage of violent threats against its employees. An armed man was shot dead by police last week after attempting to attack an FBI office in Cincinnati, and a Pennsylvania man was arrested earlier this week after threatening to kill an FBI agent.
As the hearings began, groups of Trump supporters began circling areas outside the courthouse. One man in his red pickup driving his truck had a 'Trump 2024' flag on his bed. Department of Homeland Security officers patrolled the perimeter of the courthouse.
In court filings, the Department of Justice objected to the opening of the underlying affidavits related to the search warrant, citing potential threats to the Department's ongoing criminal investigation. It cites harm and risk to "highly sensitive" information, which it says could undermine the cooperation of witnesses, provide a "roadmap" to an investigation, and jeopardize future steps. DOJ said.
Instead, the Department of Justice will instruct the judge to provide a document related to the warrant, including the cover sheet, the Department of Justice's August 5 motion to seal the warrant, and the judge's order granting the motion.
Judicial Watch, an advocacy group for news outlets and conservatives, cites the public interest in disclosure as a reason for the search by FBI agents. Alleging opening of affidavits containing affidavits of probable cause. A group of media organizations, including CNN, CBS and McClatchy, said in Wednesday's filing that the public was clear about viewing the affidavits, given the intense interest in the investigation and the historical nature of the case. claimed to be interested. Both Judicial Watch and the media organization agreed that certain redactions to the affidavit would likely be necessary to preserve the DOJ's legitimate interest in the ongoing investigation.
Fierce Justice Department opposition to releasing details of investigation into documents held in Mar-a-Lago could complicate surveillance efforts in Capitol. person too. It will be up to Mr. Reinhardt or a senior judge or the court to ultimately decide whether the affidavit and other materials will be available to Congress.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Vice-Chair Sen. I am asking you to provide a copy. Classified material confiscated from Mar-a-Lago. They also asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to produce an "assessment of potential risks to national security," a committee spokesperson said.
So far, this is the only bipartisan oversight request related to the raid on President Trump's Florida mansion. But the executive branch has so far resisted congressional investigations into ongoing law enforcement actions, arguing it could jeopardize the investigation. The Justice Department made a similar allegation earlier this week when prosecutors explained why they opposed releasing the affidavit of probable cause.
facing from For example, Senator Lindsay Graham (R-South Carolina) said that in addition to dismissing the search warrant, the Justice Department should have also explained why it had to execute the search warrant at Trump's home. rice field.
