The federal judge who signed off on the search warrant for the FBI to carry out an unprecedented search on former President Donald Trump’s estate has ordered the Justice Department to produce a copy of the warrant by August 15.
Magestrate Judge Bruce Reinhard wrote in an order on the Department of Justice’s motion to unseal the warrant and property receipt. “On or before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 12, 2022, the United States shall file a certificate of conferral advising whether former President Trump opposes the Government’s motion to unseal.”
The DOJ has filed a motion in the Southern District of Florida to unseal a search warrant and property receipt relating to a court-approved search that the FBI conducted earlier this week,” Garland said. “That search was a premises located in Florida belonging to the former president.”
“Release the documents now!” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social at 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, just hours after the judge’s decision was announced.
In a pair of posts, Trump called the search on his Florida estate “unAmerican, unwarranted, and unnecessary” and said he approved of the “immediate release” of the warrant.
Sources familiar with the document say it shows the FBI was investigating the president for the removal of presidential records and possible mishandling of classified information.
While the judge could release the warrant, it is not expected he will make public the affidavit from the FBI that provide the reason and necessity for the raid.