Justice Department Moves To Make Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant Public In Apparent 'F Around And Find Out' Move

An unexpected and potentially significant development regarding Donald Trump's Florida home in Mar-a-Lago being raided by the FBI earlier this week occurred this afternoon when Attorney General Merrick Garland made a short statement announcing that the Justice Department would seek to make the search warrant that granted the FBI permission to search Trump's property public.

In essence, this means the world is about to find out exactly why the FBI raided Trump's property, what they were searching for and perhaps some information about what they found.

"I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter," said Attorney General Merrick Garland, speaking publicly for the first time since the FBI searched former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home. https://t.co/bnwoPB0DSg pic.twitter.com/FlJIF02LDS

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 11, 2022

On Tuesday, the FBI searched Trump's residence in the Mar-a-Lago resort in a highly publicized "raid," as it was dubbed by Trump and much of the press this week. This was reportedly done on behalf of the National Archives looking to retrieve Presidential records Trump had allegedly failed to supply after his term in office ended, though the Justice Department has not confirmed the purpose of the raid as of now.

The search kicked off two days of hand-wringing and finger-pointing from Trump, conservative politicians, influencers and many more, who attempted to suggest that the raid was a political tactic to thwart Trump from running for President again in 2024.

Others, including more left-leaning figures like Andrew Yang and Andrew Cuomo, suggested that if the raid was done due to some missing documents as was said to have been the case, it would be irresponsible on the FBI's part to take that drastic action over a seemingly small matter.

Of note, Biden aides have stated they were not aware of the raid until it happened. The head of the FBI, Chris Wray, was notably appointed by Donald Trump, and in 2018, Trump notably made mishandling classified documents a felony with a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Garland's short speech, which many commenters noted felt fiery, addressed many of those critics.

"First, I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter," he stated. He also noted Trump's lawyers have a copy of that warrant. "Second, the department does not take such a decision lightly. Where possible, it is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search and to narrowly scope any search that is undertaken."

"Third, let me address recent unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department agents and prosecutors," he continued. "I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked. The men and women of the FBI and the Justice Department are dedicated, patriotic public servants. Every day they protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights. They do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves. I am honored to work alongside them."

Garland also noted that the FBI was not the one who made the raid public knowledge, but rather Donald Trump, who claimed his home was "under siege" by the FBI in a statement the evening of the event. He suggested the following day that the FBI probably planted evidence during the search.

For many onlookers and online commentators following the speech today, Garland's statement appeared to amount to a very professional f*** around and find out type of move.

Shorter Merrick Garland:

“Welcome to fuck around and find outsville. I’ll be your tour guide.”

— Angry Staffer 🌻 (@Angry_Staffer) August 11, 2022

One thing is very clear.
Garland would not have authorized this raid, and no federal judge would have signed off on it, if there weren't significant evidence to warrant it.

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 8, 2022

Brilliant move by Garland: make motion to unseal everything including material Trump has already (warrant and return); so now the ball is in his court to object or consent! Called Trump's bluff.

— Andrew Weissmann (@AWeissmann_) August 11, 2022

A judge will respond to the motion to unseal the search warrant on August 25th, according to the BBC. Until that date, Trump's lawyers can object to the motion or release the warrant to the public themselves.