Search at Trump: Justice Department to appeal decision on appointment of expert

The US Justice Department said Thursday it will appeal a federal judge’s decision to authorize the appointment of an independent expert to review documents seized by the FBI during searches of Donald Trump’s home.

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The Republican demanded that the courts appoint an independent third party to examine the papers seized during this stunning and unprecedented police operation for the billionaire ex-president, to determine which should be returned to him or classified as “secret” – and therefore not used in investigations targeting him.

Magistrate Eileen Cannon, who Trump himself appointed in 2020, ruled on September 5 to grant his request, a victory for the former president.

In addition to announcing his upcoming appeal, the Justice Department sought a stay on the judge’s ruling that would prevent officials from accessing highly classified documents in their investigation.

The ministry’s legal experts argued that the documents belonged to the executive and not the former president.

The ministry strongly opposed the appointment of an independent third party, believing it would block investigators’ access to documents and seriously undermine government interests, including national security.

Donald Trump responded to the ministry’s appeal announcement by defending the decision of a “brave and wise judge”.

The FBI and the department ‘spend millions of dollars and a great deal of time and energy on the charm […] Instead of fighting against corruption and record crimes unfold before our eyes,” he said on his social network Truth Social.

On August 8, the FBI raided Donald Trump’s residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, seizing boxes of classified documents that the Republican had not returned after leaving the White House, despite numerous requests.

Since then, Donald Trump, who publicly plans to run for president in 2024, has railed against a measure he deems “illegal and unconstitutional” and has repeated that he was targeted for political reasons.

Investigators suspect the Republican violated the American Espionage Act, which strictly regulates the possession of classified documents. Donald Trump has promised to declassify these documents.

Mr. It shows Trump kept more than 11,000 secret, unclassified state documents. He says he has the right to keep them, but they legally go to the National Archives.