A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release of a redacted version of the affidavit Friday that supports the Justice Department’s request for a search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida earlier this month. The document remains hidden, and it is not clear whether the judge will reveal its content publicly or whether the revised version will reveal any real details regarding the landmark investigation.
According to the Washington Post, the affidavit likely contains key information regarding the investigation of classified documents that were kept at Trump’s residence and private resort in Florida following he left office, including why FBI agents suspected crimes.
Witness safety
Justice Department lawyers argued in court last week that publishing the affidavit under oath might jeopardize the safety of witnesses and undermine the investigation, which is still in its “early stages.” However, federal judge Bruce E. Reinhart said he believed parts of the document might be released to the public without impeding the investigation.
The judge gave the Justice Department until noon Thursday to propose a revised version of the affidavit that might be made public without disclosing details that might impede the investigation or harm witnesses.
Judge Reinhart will now decide whether this proposed version should be made public, kept sealed, or contains too many or too few revisions.
