DOJ opposes release of Trump raid affidavit, willing to unseal other docs

The Justice Department said Monday it will oppose the release of an FBI affidavit used to justify the search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence last week.

“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” federal prosecutors said in a court filing.

The DOJ added that the release of even a redacted version of the affidavit “would not serve any public interest” due to the number of details that would have to be omitted.

Prosecutors added that they would be willing to make other documents connected to the search public — including cover sheets for the initial search warrant application, the government’s motion to seal the warrant and the sealing order issued by US Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart.

The unprecedented Aug. 8 raid on the Mar-a-Lago resort was related to Trump’s possible mishandling of classified documents, according to court records unsealed Friday.

The Justice Department said it is investigating whether Trump broke three laws pertaining to the handling of records, including the Espionage Act of 1917, a broadly written law used in recent years to win harsh sanctions for mishandling classified information.

Trump claims he declassified any records stored at his residence and argued that some records may be protected by attorney-client privilege.

This is a developing story.