Follow Us

Judge does not issue ruling on Trump's 'special master' request

The Justice Department argued that it is unnecessary and even harmful to national security if a special master is appointed

Published: September 1, 2022 1:05pm

Updated: September 1, 2022 3:11pm

The Florida judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's request to appoint a "special master" to review documents seized by the FBI during its raid of Mar-a-Lago did not issue a ruling at the conclusion of the hearing, but she plans on unsealing an inventory of what agents took, as well as a status report from the investigative team.

Trump's legal team argued Thursday against Justice Department prosecutors in front of Florida Southern U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee.

Cannon did not issue a ruling from the bench, Guardian reporter Hugo Lowell said. Despite unsealing a "detailed inventory" and the FBI team's status report, she kept the "filter team report sealed," following an objection from Trump's attorneys, Lowell stated.

She also reserved ruling on a request from a filter team attorney to turn materials over that are potentially related to privileged material.

Judge Cannon did not give a specific date or time as to when she will release her written ruling but said it will come "in due course," Fox reported.

The Justice Department argued in a filing Tuesday that the appointment of a special master – a third-party overseer – is "unnecessary and would significantly harm important governmental interests, including national security interests." 

Trump's attorneys responded Wednesday, saying a "fair-minded" Justice Department "that truly embraced the highest ethical standards would, and should, agree" to such a neutral observer.

A heavily-redacted version of the affidavit used for the warrant in the FBI's raid of Trump's Florida home was released last week despite the Justice Department's protests.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Just the News Spotlight

Support Just the News