DOJ Suggests Redactions to Mar-a-Lago Affidavit

The Department of Justice submitted proposed redactions to the affidavit that authorized the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence on August 8.

It is now up to Judge Bruce Reinhart to review the redactions and decide whether or not to release the affidavit to the public. Reinhart, who authorized the FBI search, has expressed willingness to release the affidavit. He ordered the Department of Justice last week to file proposed redactions. The DOJ argues that releasing the affidavit would compromise ongoing investigations and endanger witnesses.

“The United States has filed a submission under seal per the Court's order of Aug. 22,” said Justice Department Spokesman Anthony Coley. “The Justice Department respectfully declines further comment as the Court considers the matter.”

Coverage of the story was consistent across the board. The push for the affidavit’s release has in part been fueled by media outlets, some of which argued in court last week in favor of the document’s release. The Associated Press (Lean Left Bias) said the “extraordinary public interest in the federal search of a former president’s home” warranted the document's public release. Shortly after the DOJ filed the proposal, a group of media companies, including The Wall Street Journal (Center Bias) and The New York Times (Lean Left Bias), filed a motion to unseal portions of the DOJ’s brief explaining their redactions.