The DOJ Sends Ominous Sign for Trump

Court filing seeks modification of special-master order in intensifying criminal investigation.

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Former President Donald Trump attends a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., September 3, 2022.

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Homing in on the weakest parts of a Labor Day order granting former president Donald Trump a special master to review materials seized in the Mar-a-Lago search, the Justice Department has asked federal district judge Aileen Cannon to undo restrictions she imposed on the government’s ability to use classified documents removed from the estate. The government’s application, filed on Thursday, warns that it will promptly appeal if Judge Cannon does not grant its narrow request within a week.

Ominously, prosecutors also signaled that their criminal investigation of the former president’s alleged mishandling of national-defense secrets is active and intensifying: exploring the possibility that Trump continues to retain highly sensitive intelligence and may have relocated and/or misplaced some classified documents. The uncovering of such conduct, if it happened, would dramatically increase the likelihood that he would face criminal charges.

Andrew C. McCarthy

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.

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