DOJ Seeks To Unseal Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant

WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Justice has filed a motion in Florida court to unseal a search warrant executed earlier this week at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump's resort and residence in Florida, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Thursday during a news conference.

Garland, who said he personally authorized the Monday search, is seeking to unseal the warrant for reasons including "substantial public interest." Usually, these documents traditionally remain sealed during a pending investigation.

“The public’s clear and powerful interest in understanding what occurred under these circumstances weighs heavily in favor of unsealing,” the motion filed in court said.

Trump confirmed the "unannounced raid" that he likened to "prosecutorial misconduct" in a lengthy statement Monday.

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"My beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents," Trump said in the statement released through his political action committee Save America.

"They even broke into my safe!" he continued. "What is the difference between this and Watergate, where operatives broke into the Democrat National Committee? Here, in reverse, Democrats broke into the home of the 45th President of the United States."

According to The Associated Press, the search was related to a records probe that started in January when the National Archives and Records Administration removed more than a dozen boxes of documents from Mar-a-Lago after the agency claimed they were removed from the White House in violation of the Presidential Records Act.

Agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.

The agency then asked the Justice Department to look into Trump's handling of other presidential documents, the Washington Post reported.

Monday's search warrant was authorized by a federal court after a judge found probable cause, Garland said, adding the department sought "less intrusive means" prior to executing the search.

"Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our Democracy," Garland said. "It means applying the law without fear and without favor."

It was not immediately clear when — or if — the unsealing request might be granted or when the documents could be released. Trump may also object to the motion. The judge gave the Department of Justice until 3 p.m. ET Friday to find out whether Trump will oppose unsealing the search warrant, Bloomberg reported.

Garland did not give additional details about the search or elaborate on what agents were looking for. He did, however, address what he called "unfounded attacks" on the FBI and other federal officials.

"I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked," Garland said. "Every day they protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights."

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.