On Friday, a federal judge unsealed the redacted version of the affidavit used to justify the FBI raid on President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
According to FOX News, more than 50% of the affidavit was redacted – with 20 pages of the 38-page document either fully or significantly redacted.
In the affidavit, the FBI said it had “probable cause to believe” that additional records containing classified information would be found at Mar-a-Lago home beyond what he had previously turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration.
“The government is conducting a criminal investigation concerning the improper removal and storage of classified information in unauthorized spaces, as well as the unlawful concealment or removal of government records,” the affidavit states.
In response, Trump responded on TRUTH Social, writing, “Affidavit heavily redacted!!! Nothing mentioned on “Nuclear,” a total public relations subterfuge by the FBI & DOJ, or our close working relationship regarding document turnover – WE GAVE THEM MUCH. Judge Bruce Reinhart should NEVER have allowed the Break-In of my home. He recused himself two months ago from one of my cases based on his animosity and hatred of your favorite President, me. What changed? Why hasn’t he recused himself on this case? Obama must be very proud of him right now!”
While appearing on Lou Dobs’ podcast, President Trump called the entire “witch hunt” a disgrace, and even said our country is a wreck because of the weaponization of the FBI.
Meanwhile, Republicans reacted to the affidavit, with Rep. Dan Bishop tweeting photos of the redacted content, writing, “so much for transparency.”
Buzz Paterson posted a meme about the affidavit, showing a blank piece of printer paper covered in black sharpie with the only words showing, “Orange man bad, signed Merrick Garland.”
On FOX News, Bret Baier reacted to the heavily-redacted document, saying, “We are back to square one.”
The Department of Justice needs to release the entire affidavit immediately. This is a matter of public interest, and the American people have a right to know what is in it – for the sake of total transparency – as Trump requested.
