The U.S. Department of Justice may continue its investigation into classified documents found during a search of the home of former President Donald Trump in Florida. A judge ruled that on Wednesday.
The investigation into the more than 11,000 government documents that the FBI found in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in early August was halted at the request of the former president’s lawyers. A judge previously ruled that the investigation had to be postponed until an independent arbitrator (special master) had been given the opportunity to assess the material found during the searches. This arbitrator was recently appointed after being nominated by Trump’s team of lawyers.
Last week, that arbitrator, former judge Raymond Dearie, was appointed. He has been given the power to withhold found documents from the government because of, for example, the so-called privilege of the executive power (executive privilege). Still, the federal higher court ruled on Wednesday that the Justice Department may continue with the investigation in the meantime.
The Trump criminal investigation will include whether confidential papers were withheld and whether an attempt was made to thwart a federal investigation. Both offenses are punishable. According to Trump, he has ensured that the documents are no longer secret during his presidency, but according to the court no evidence has been found.
The resumption of the investigation has put a damper on Trump, who is currently holding rallies in Republican states and appears to be interested in running for a second term in the White House, although he has not yet officially run for office. In New York, Trump and his family, who run the Trump Organization, are also accused of large-scale fraud. Criminal charges could thwart his presidential ambitions.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss out on any of the stars.