Former US President Donald Trump has stated that he will not fight the publication of the warrant that allowed the FBI to search his Mar-a-Lago residence earlier this week.
Mr. Trump encouraged its “prompt publication” in a statement, but reaffirmed his contention that the search was unnecessary and politically motivated.
The United States Department of Justice has made an unprecedented appeal to a judge in Florida to unseal the warrant.
If granted, the documents would be made accessible to the public.
And it could indicate the reason why Mr. Trump’s Florida home was searched on Monday, which the law department has not yet disclosed.
It is thought that the FBI search is related to an inquiry into whether or not the former president took classified documents and sensitive materials from the White House.
The Washington Post, citing unidentified sources, reported that FBI investigators were searching Mar-a-Lago for records related to nuclear weapons.
The sources did not advise the publication on whether the information concerning the US or foreign weapons.
According to sources cited by CBS, BBC’s US partner network, the search warrant is a “bare bones” document that lacks an explanation of why it was issued or what the FBI sought.
Mr. Trump responded fiercely on his social networking site, Truth Social.
“The nuclear weapons issue is a Hoax, just as Russia, Russia, Russia was a Hoax, the two impeachments were a Hoax, and the Mueller inquiry was a Hoax, among many others. Same shady characters are involved.
“Why wouldn’t the FBI permit the inspection of Mar-a-Lago areas with our attorneys and others present? Made them wait outdoors in the heat and forbade them from approaching.”
Mr. Trump has until Friday at 3:00 p.m. EST (19:00 GMT) to oppose the unsealing, although it is unclear what his remark now means in terms of when the records could be made public.
He already has the warrant and a property receipt describing items taken during the search, so he could release the items himself.
“Not only will I not oppose the release of papers about the unpatriotic, unwarranted, and unnecessary raid and break-in of my Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago, I will ENCOURAGE their rapid release,” continued the statement.
He stated this even though they were “drafted by extreme left Democrats and potential future political opponents, who have a strong and tremendous vested interest in assaulting me, as they have for the past six years.”
Earlier, Attorney General Merrick Garland disclosed he authorized the search order.
Until now, the justice department has followed its customary practice of being silent during an active investigation, and papers such as search warrants have usually been kept under wraps during pending investigations.
In contrast, Mr. Garland stated that, in the interest of the public, he was requesting that the court make search warrant-related materials available to the public.
Mr. Trump’s public announcement that a search had been conducted also influenced his decision, he said.
“The public’s clear and strong interest in understanding what transpired under these circumstances weighs significantly in favor of unsealing,” justice department attorneys wrote in a Thursday motion filed with a federal court.
As part of a criminal inquiry, a former president’s residence was searched for the first time in American history on Monday. Mr. Trump and other Republicans have denounced the action as being motivated by politics.
Thursday, Mr. Garland defended FBI officers and justice department officials during a press conference.
The attorney general told reporters, “I will not remain silent while their integrity is unfairly assailed.”
Additionally, he indicated that the decision to execute the search warrant was not made lightly. “It is normal to practice to explore less intrusive ways whenever possible,” he stated.
Earlier, Mr. Trump’s attorney, Lindsey Halligan, stated that his legal team was evaluating whether to release the warrant before the judge makes a decision. She added that they were also considering releasing photographs and videos of the hunt.
According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, FBI officers at Mar-a-Lago had requested that CCTV cameras be turned down, but the Trump team refused to cooperate. CBS added that Mr. Trump’s Secret Service protection team was not involved in the camera disagreement because the cameras are privately owned and operated.
Mr. Trump contended on his Truth Social platform on Thursday that the raid was unnecessary because his attorneys had been “completely cooperating” and “the government could have had whatever they wanted if we had it.”
He also said that federal officials rummaged through the former first lady’s closet and personal belongings.
Merrick Garland did not elaborate in his press conference on the contents of the search warrant, what was discovered, or whether – as media accounts have claimed – an inside Trump source gave the FBI the vital material.
However, there were revelations. The attorney general disclosed that he had authorized the search order personally. And he stated that the Department of Justice is seeking a court order to make public the warrant and the list of materials seized from Mar-a-Lago.
During an ongoing investigation, prosecutors do not often show their hand in public, a fact that Mr. Garland made plain for good reason.
However, the Republican movement’s and Donald Trump’s harmful charges that the Democrats are weaponizing the agency have been detrimental.
In the absence of an official proclamation, this narrative remains virtually uncontested.
This was Mr. Garland claiming that the search was not a violation of the law, but rather the law running its normal course.
