Judge says he's inclined to unseal parts of Mar-a-Lago search affidavit, orders government to submit redactions
A judge said he is inclined to unseal at least some of the affidavit used to secure a search of Trump's home and ordered the government to propose redactions.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A federal judge on Thursday said he is inclined to unseal at least some of the probable cause affidavit used to secure a search of former President Donald Trump's Florida estate and ordered the government to submit proposed redactions.
“On my initial careful review ... there are portions of it that can be unsealed,” Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart said after a hearing where a top government lawyer contended the document's release could jeopardize an investigation that is still in its "early stages."
In a written ruling after the hearing, Reinhart said, "I find that on the present record the Government has not met its burden of showing that the entire affidavit should remain sealed."
The judge said he would "give the government a full and fair opportunity" to make redactions to the document, and ordered them to turn in the redacted version by next Thursday, along with a legal memo justifying the proposed redactions. He said he would then review the document and either order its release if he agrees with the redaction or hold a closed-door hearing with the government if he disagrees.
The judge added that if they can't agree, "obviously I'd win" that argument, but he'd allow the government time to appeal his ruling.
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