Trump search warrant cites Espionage Act

Washington, Aug 12 (EFE).- This week’s search of former United States President Donald Trump’s Florida home was part of an investigation into possible violations of the Espionage Act, according to the warrant unsealed Friday at the request of Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The FBI agents who executed the warrant at Mar-a-Lago on Monday were also looking for evidence relating to the destruction or concealment of documents to obstruct and investigation and to unlawful removal of government materials.

Released along with the warrant was the receipt signed by one of Trump’s lawyers for the contents of the more than 20 boxes FBI removed from the premises, which included photos and some documents marked Top Secret/SCI (Sensitive compartmented information).

The receipt likewise mentions a document pertaining to Trump’s pardon of long-time associate Roger Stone and material about French President Emmanuel Macron.

Federal Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, signed the search warrant on Aug. 5, authorized the unsealing on Friday after attorneys for the 45th president declined to oppose the request from Garland.

“The locations to be searched include the ’45 Office,’ all storage rooms, and all other rooms or areas within the premises used or available to be used by FPOTUS (former President of the United States) and his staff and in which boxes or documents could be stored, including all structures or buildings on the estate,” the warrant says.

The first news of the search came from Trump, who denounced the operation as a “raid.”

Even before the warrant was unsealed, The Wall Street Journal reported that the agents were in pursuit of classified documents, while Trump issued a statement affirming that before leaving the White House, he declassified all of the materials he took with him to Mar-a-Lago. EFE

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