The Mar-a-Lago investigation’s special master has requested that former President Donald Trump’s attorneys state in a court filing whether they believe FBI agents lied about the materials seized from Trump’s Florida estate in August.
The Washington Post reports that special master U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie said Thursday that Trump’s legal team must confirm by September 30 whether they believe “any of the seized items were incorrectly described in the Justice Department’s 11-page inventory list, which stated that some of the documents were highly classified.”
Trump’s attorneys must also make clear whether they are contesting the theft of certain items on the list.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the FBI planted items during its search of his home, and “Dearie’s order, in essence, requires Trump’s attorneys to support their client’s claims,” continues the Post.
The government has until Monday to provide feedback on the quality of its own inventory list.
According to the order, it must also respond to “any factual disputes that Trump’s team raises in its filings,” as summarized by the Post.
Dearie stated that Trump’s attorneys and the government should conduct a rolling review of non-classified documents.
Prior to the Justice Department agreeing or disagreeing with this assertion, the former president’s team should review and flag any documents it believes to be privileged. Dearie would arbitrate any disagreements between the parties.
By October 21, all documents must be submitted to the special master. Dearie stated that former U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein will assist him with his review.
The order issued on Thursday comes after an appellate court sided with the DOJ on Wednesday in its request to access approximately 100 classified documents during the special master review.
