Anonymous Trump Employee’s Witness Account Gave DOJ Grounds for Warrant
Summary from the AllSides News Team
An unidentified Mar-a-Lago employee cooperating with the ongoing Department of Justice probe former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents told investigators that Trump directed him to move boxes containing the documents. This claim from the anonymous worker, plus security footage featuring a Trump aidemoving boxes on the property, were part of the DOJ’s justification for obtaining a warrant to search the property.
Key Quotes: The story first broke in the Washington Post (Lean Left Bias), which stated that “agents have gathered witness accounts indicating that, after Trump advisers received a subpoena in May for any classified documents that remained at Mar-a-Lago, Trump told people to move boxes to his residence at the property.” Trump disputed these claims on Wednesday in a post on Truth Social, stating “there is no ‘crime’ having to do with the storage of documents at Mar-a-Lago.”
For Context: The FBI executed a warrant search of Donald Trump’s Florida residence on August 8. During the search, agents seized around 11,000 documents, roughly 100 of which contained classified markings.
Where the Media Agreed: The anonymous report was covered across the spectrum.
Where the Media Disagreed: The New York Times (Lean Left Bias) and Reuters (Center Bias) both entertained speculation that Trump aide Walt Nauta was the anonymous source. The New York Post (Lean Right Bias) and the Washington Post (Lean Left Bias) did not mention Nauta.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Trump employee tells FBI that Trump directed boxes to be moved at Mar-a-Lago after subpoena servedA Trump employee has told the FBI about being directed by the former President to move boxes out of a basement storage room to his residence at Mar-a-Lago after Donald Trump’s legal team received a subpoena for any classified documents at the Florida estate, according to a source familiar with the witness’ description.
The FBI also has surveillance footage showing a staffer moving boxes out of the storage room, the source told CNN.
The witness account of Trump’s actions after the subpoena was served in May coupled with the footage...
From the Center
Aide tells FBI Trump ordered boxes moved at Mar-a-Lago - reportA former employee of Donald Trump told federal agents the former president asked that boxes of records be moved within his Florida residence after receiving a government subpoena demanding their return, according to a Washington Post report.
The testimony of the key witness, coupled with surveillance footage the Justice Department also obtained, represent some of the strongest known evidence to date of possible obstruction of justice by the former Republican president.
The New York Times separately reported on Wednesday that Trump aide Walt Nauta was captured on security camera footage...
From the Right
Trump employee told FBI former president ordered Mar-a-Lago boxes be movedA Trump employee told federal agents that boxes containing troves of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago were moved at the bidding of the ex-president before the Florida estate was raided by FBI agents in August, according to a new report.
The witness account, backed by surveillance footage, indicates that Donald Trump told people to move the boxes to his residence at the Florida resort after the former president’s advisors received a subpoena in May demanding any classified documents remaining on the property, according to the Washington Post.
The unidentified employee, who...
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