United States Attorney General Merrick Garland.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo
Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed Thursday that he personally signed off on the search warrant used to raid Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property.
Garland also announced the Department of Justice filed a motion to unseal the search warrant and an FBI property receipt.
“Federal law, long-standing department rules, and our ethical obligations prevent me from providing further details as to the basis of the search at this time. There are, however, certain points I want you to know,” Garland said.
“First, I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter. Second, the department does not take such decisions lightly.”
Garland said they chose to file to unseal the documents in light of Trump’s “public confirmation of the search, the surrounding circumstances, and the substantial public interest in this matter.”
Copies of both the warrant and the FBI’s receipt were provided “to the former president’s counsel who was on-site during the search,” Garland said.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.