# FBI Search and Seizure at Trump's Mar-A-Lago Residence, August 8, 2022, Case Dismissed July 15, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 8, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329 "2022-08-08T23:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 138
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2741 "2022-09-09T22:18:55Z")
> [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > It’s kind of insane that all his properties weren’t searched at the same time. I doubt they could get probable cause to search every single property. They knew it was at MaL so that’s where they had permission to go. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2742 "2022-09-09T22:30:49Z")
That’s the point I’ve been making, but it’s apparently been rebutted by the notorious legal argument , « oh, come on! » Sadly, I’ve never had any success with that argument in court. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2743 "2022-09-09T22:43:39Z")
Is this why can serial killers roam free so often? “Well, we found this one body here in California, but his other house is in Oregon, so it’ll be hard to get a warrant since we have no evidence of a dead body in Oregon.” ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2744 "2022-09-09T22:53:29Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > « oh, come on! » > > Sadly, I’ve never had any success with that argument in court. Wouldn’t that be « come on, eh! » in a Canadian court? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2745 "2022-09-09T22:55:43Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > That’s the point I’ve been making, but it’s apparently been rebutted by the notorious legal argument , « oh, come on! » > > Sadly, I’ve never had any success with that argument in court. Interestingly, this was pretty much Trump’s argument for having the special master approved. Looks like it works in the States. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2746 "2022-09-09T23:14:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I doubt they could get probable cause to search every single property. They knew it was at MaL so that’s where they had permission to go. But once it’s confirmed that yes, the stolen documents were indeed found at MaL, then I think that gives them very good grounds for saying to a judge "There are other stolen documents not recovered in this particular search, and since the target has multiple properties, it is likely that is where they will be found. He had stolen documents in his possession. If there are indeed more documents not recovered in this search I could see a judge allowing a search of secondary properties owned by the target, even in the absence of a direct observer testifying “yes, I saw these documents in Trump’s New York house.” ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_G](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_g/32/5080_2.png) [@Steven\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_G)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2747 "2022-09-09T23:16:51Z")
Apologies for cutting in from the other side of the Atlantic and also if this has appeared somewhere up-thread. I don’t want to imply that removing (from the White House) and possessing the documents, classified or otherwise, was initially part of some grand scheme. Not sure why Trump or his minions did this (plenty of discussion already) but let’s leave that. However, once they realised that there was a load of very bad evidence of criminal activity hanging around, the only sensible action would be to show shock and horror and return them. And with all the political sensitivity it would probably have worked. BUT if you keep the situation “live” and use it to goad the DoJ and FBI into action, you could use this to help ignite serious civil violence. Trump has been carefully fanning these potential flames for a week or two now. There is some evidence that large scale riots is what someone (Trump?) wants. Not dissimilar to the attack on the Capitol. So the DoJ moving slowly and allowing the temperature to fall away, gradually weakening support for Trump, may be the best action. Indeed, keeping Trump on a “slow grill” gives him time to make mistakes and say the wrong thing, and that is happening. Timing may be everything in this game. Move too fast and it can cause trouble. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2748 "2022-09-09T23:17:20Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There are other stolen documents not recovered in this particular search, and since the target has multiple properties, it is likely that is where they will be found Yes, if they can show that documents that were likely in his possession (perhaps the empty folders had markings suggesting those missing documents were in them), it seems sensible to try to look at other places where he might have plausibly stashed them. Perhaps places where he is known to spend long periods of time. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2749 "2022-09-10T02:01:46Z")
I actually mentioned upthread that that standard appears to be out of step with other cases where the FBI got a warrant to search with a wider net. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2750 "2022-09-10T10:21:02Z")
The special master nominees are in. “Trump’s lawyers also nominated Paul Huck Jr., who appears to have significant ties to figures in Trump’s orbit. …Huck is married to Barbara Lagoa, a federal appeals court judge Trump also considered for the Supreme Court. Lagoa is one of 11 judges on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, where a three-judge panel is soon expected to consider DOJ’s appeal of Cannon’s special master order.” > **[Trump, DOJ tangle over 'special master' to review seized Mar-a-Lago documents](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/09/trump-special-master-doj-mar-a-lago-documents-00056015)** > > U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon plans to appoint a third-party to sift through the materials and decide what information investigators can keep. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2751 "2022-09-10T11:06:20Z")
The outcome of the DOJ appeal will determine the extent to which the Trump-infested judiciary still retains any integrity. The judgment by Loose Cannon was so egregiously wrong that this, truly, is yet another desperate test of American democracy. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2752 "2022-09-10T13:39:02Z")
Ttump received the NARA etter on May 6, 2022. On May 9th, 2022, the Daily Mail released an article which includes Trump and team loading banker boxes into a plane in Palm Beach, Florida, boxes looking exactly like the ones found in his office. And they flew from Florida to his New Jersey club. With the boxes. Tweet: > Article: > **[Donald Trump jets out of Florida to spend the summer in New Jersey](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9560663/Melania-Trump-wears-polka-dots-celebrate-Mothers-Day-Mar-Lago-Barron-Donald.html)** > > Mother-of-one Melania opted for a polka dot dress as she dined with Donald and Barron, 15, who sported longer hair, Sunday. Trump will move his base to his New Jersey for summer. React: > ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2753 "2022-09-10T14:33:42Z")
We can’t get search warrants for his other properties? There is evidence he had them. They are now missing. There is evidence that they may have been moved. Sadly, It’s probably too late. They are now shipped been shipped, or sold to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2754 "2022-09-10T14:48:54Z")
Eh, dammit, that’s what I get for not researching. Strzok is wrong. That plane flight took place in 2021, not 2022. It even says it right there in the DM preview above. This is on me, team. My bad. ETA: Dammit, I realized that the _first_ NARA letter was dated May 2021. I’m thinking the memo written in May 2022, released by John Solomon. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2755 "2022-09-10T14:55:50Z")
For what it’s worth, so you don’t beat yourself up too badly, it’s possible that he had classified documents at mar-a-lagoin 2021. And it’s possible that he was moving them around. Hell, it’s possible that he was doing that the whole time he was in office. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2756 "2022-09-10T14:56:59Z")
No, I realized this occured after the _first_ NARA request, which was dated May 6th, 2021. So strzok has the timeline correct. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2757 "2022-09-10T15:00:44Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > For what it’s worth, so you don’t beat yourself up too badly, it’s possible that he had classified documents at mar-a-lagoin 2021. And it’s possible that he was moving them around. Hell, it’s possible that he was doing that the whole time he was in office. 👆 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2758 "2022-09-10T19:25:53Z")
As expected, Bobb has lawyered up. > ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2759 "2022-09-10T19:39:39Z")
How do they say it… **M** aking **A** ttorney’s **G** et **A** ttorneys ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2760 "2022-09-10T20:52:57Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > That’s the point I’ve been making, but it’s apparently been rebutted by the notorious legal argument , « oh, come on! » > > Sadly, I’ve never had any success with that argument in court. ⁢ I don’t think snark is all that great a legal argument, either. The actual point of contention seems to be disagreement on where the line is for probable cause to search these other properties. You’ve not given any actual direct evidence that you draw the line in the correct place, meaning you’re leaving most of us to just consider whether or not that line makes sense to us. However, at least one person went to the trouble to find examples of FBI warrants that seem to contradict where you drew the line. I had a longer post that I deleted to respond to the snark. (I’m not a fan of mockery to counter arguments.) But the gist of it was that you seemed to have changed two of the questions after I answered them, and that, since we are the public and thus do not know all the evidence, I think it’s entirely appropriate to speculate on what evidence may exist when trying to figure out if probable cause would apply. Oh and that it would be a really bad system if they didn’t keep track of every time a copy that was ever made of any documents, or have some way to identify which copy was which Such information wouldn’t be stored with the folders. Even regular libraries record every time a book is checked out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329.md?page=137) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329.md?page=139)