Donald J. Trump v. United States, No. 22-cv-81294 (AMC).

In response to briefing order issued by the federal district court in Florida, the United States alleged today that it sought to obtain judicial authority to search and seize the former President’s residence because, in doubt concerning the completeness of the custodian of records attestation that records provided to the government were complete, that “[t]he government also developed evidence that government records were likely concealed and removed from the Storage Room and that efforts were likely taken to obstruct the government’s investigation.” United States Response to Motion for Judicial Oversight and for Additional Relief at 10.

The United States argues that the former president has no ownership interest in the records seized, as these belong to the United States under the Presidential Records Act. As the former president is perceived to lack any interest in the records seized, he has no standing to contest the seizure.

Neither does the former president have any interest in return of any personal items seized during the good faith execution of a search warrant, as the United States asserts was the case with the search conducted at the former president’s residence on August 8, 2022.

The United States has advised the court that its review of the records seized has been completed, rendering moot the appointment of a special master, the propriety of which the United States contests.

United States’ Response to Motion for Judicial Oversight and Additional Relief

Attachment to United States’ Response to Motion for Judicial Oversight and Additional Relief