# 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:** 150
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2981 "2022-09-20T05:05:18Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > “Someone on the Trump team has to make an argument at some point that document A belongs to Trump, right?” Or words to that effect. It’s looking rather like the ‘election fraud’ statements his team of crack lawyers were making to the media right after the election vs. the statements they were making in front of a judge, i.e. when lying would have have consequences. “So are you alleging there was fraud committed in counting these ballots?” “Not at this time, your honor.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2982 "2022-09-20T09:51:21Z")
[Haven’t seen this mentioned elsewhere bu](https://abovethelaw.com/2022/09/prosecutors-appeal-order-to-hand-over-classified-docs-to-trumps-lawyers-on-grounds-of-hell-to-the-no/)t: > [@](#): > > Trump’s recently retained counsel, Christopher Kise, [registered in 2020](https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6787-Short-Form-20200124-2.pdf) under the Foreign Agents Registration Act to represent Venezuela in negotiations with the Treasury, which should preclude him from getting even a temporary security clearance to examine the documents at issue. Trump hired one of Maduro’s lawyers. Strange bedfellows indeed. (I read elsewhere that Kise got $3m up front from Trump, which already makes him smarter than pretty much every other lawyer Trump has hired.) ---
**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 20, 2022, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2983 "2022-09-20T10:29:07Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I haven’t seen this noted anywhere, but it pretty much forecloses any defense by Trump that he didn’t know he was committing a crime by keeping the classified materials. Thanks for the gift link, @Aspenglow. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2984 "2022-09-20T10:42:44Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Judge Dearie has opened tomorrow’s hearing to the public with a public access dial in. Is that unusual? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2985 "2022-09-20T11:48:45Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Trump’s lawyers won’t answer the special master’s question about which documents Trump supposedly declassified because they are saving that answer for after he is indicted. So they are saving a defense that isn’t a defense (many of Trump’s own former staff have already crapped all over the idea of this declassification protocol that wasn’t written down or communicated to anyone at the time) for when Trump is actually facing charges. They are going to just declare that it was okay for him to do because he’s Donald Trump. Well, they got paid up front so I guess anything is worth a shot at this point. Which, once again, emphasizes just how insane the ruling from the Trumpist Judge that allowed the special master in the first place was. ---
**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 20, 2022, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2986 "2022-09-20T12:11:09Z")
I am experiencing much joy and schadenfreude imagining his lawyer’s, adviser’s, family, and associates all trying to keep him from attacking his own Special Master on Twuth Social. Because you know this is happening. Even as I type this, keeping him from attacking Dearie is top of mind, right this second, to someone close to him. You _know_ it. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2987 "2022-09-20T12:19:13Z")
I look forward to their failure to control him with great amusement. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2988 "2022-09-20T12:21:09Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > And one more time, and I can’t stress this enough. The classification status of documents does not matter at all for some of the crimes DOJ is investigating. > > Trump and his lawyers have been pretending it matters, but that’s misdirection. But it matters quite a lot _at this very moment_, specifically, the fact that the DOJ just asked for permission from the appeals court to continue its work using any classified documents. If Trump _had_ responded with a list of which documents he declassified, the DOJ would, presumably, be barred under Judge Cannon’s order to use those documents until the special master was finished reviewing everything. Even if this appeals court grants the DOJ’s request. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2989 "2022-09-20T12:33:28Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > But it matters quite a lot _at this very moment_, specifically, the fact that the DOJ just asked for permission from the appeals court to continue its work using any classified documents. This isn’t what happened. The subpoena and the request for stay pending appeal both concern documents, “bearing classification markings,” as opposed to classified documents. This difference is important because no one is disputing that the docs bear classifications markings and it’s not really disputable. Trump and his lawyers have been pretending that this is about classification status, but that’s misdirection. Don’t fall for it. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2990 "2022-09-20T12:35:21Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I am experiencing much joy and schadenfreude imagining his lawyer’s, adviser’s, family, and associates all trying to keep him from attacking his own Special Master on Twuth Social. I’m guessing he saw the idea of a “Special Master” as another shiny toy he can use to delay and thwart investigations. Here’s hoping it blows up in his face. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2991 "2022-09-20T12:35:59Z")
Well, it is unusual that Judge Cannon did not allow any phones or electronic devices in her court. Presumably because, as a judge, she didn’t want her corruption broadcast. Judge Dearie is showing openness and that he won’t put up with stalling bullshit, I hope. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2992 "2022-09-20T12:40:19Z")
The headline waiting to be written: “Oh, Dearie!” [Many legal experts are saying that choosing him was a mistake by Trump.](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-judge-dearie-special-master-classified-documents-1744336) I wonder if he picked Dearie himself or asked someone else to do it so he could blame them later. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2993 "2022-09-20T12:43:01Z")
Some brilliant 0.5D chess right there. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2994 "2022-09-20T13:45:58Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I’m guessing he saw the idea of a “Special Master” as another shiny toy he can use to delay and thwart investigations. Here’s hoping it blows up in his face. As a non-legal type, I think this case is the first time (or close to it) that I’ve heard of a ‘special master’. It sounds like something trump would have made up (“I want a master, the best master…maybe even a special master [looks at someone off camera], can we do that, can we get a special master?”). ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2995 "2022-09-20T13:47:47Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > no one is disputing that the docs bear classifications markings and it’s not really disputable. Trump: “Hold my beer.” ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2996 "2022-09-20T14:03:48Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > As a non-legal type, I think this case is the first time (or close to it) that I’ve heard of a ‘special master’. Yeah, I’d only first heard of it in connection to Giuliani, and I suspect the same is true of most laypeople or this situation. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2997 "2022-09-20T14:17:59Z")
There was a poster (possibly **@Procrustus**?) who said that in local courts SMs have been a thing in a couple instances. Hopefully the poster could elucidate that. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2998 "2022-09-20T14:36:25Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > There was a poster (possibly **@Procrustus**?) who said that in local courts SMs have been a thing in a couple instances. Hopefully the poster could elucidate tha t. In some cases they help overworked trial judges deal with cases with a lot of documents and a lot of disputes over discovery. In one case, more similar to what is happening with Trump, a corporation withheld documents under a claim of privilege. Thousands of documents. They produced a “privilege log,” but it didn’t have much information. After we caught the corporation claiming privilege on one document on the log that didn’t clearly deserve protection, she appointed a special master to look at all 10,000 documents and make recommendations as to the legitimacy of the privilege claims. The claims are different than Trump’s, but the idea is the same. Someone has to actually look at the documents and make a determination. Judge Cannon could have done it herself, ordering that everything be delivered to her chambers for an _in camera_ review, but it’s the kind of chore that judges like to offload. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/2999 "2022-09-20T14:37:14Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > There was a poster (possibly **@Procrustus**?) who said that in local courts SMs have been a thing in a couple instances. Hopefully the poster could elucidate that. Having now (due to this thread) heard the term. I’ve noticed it in other articles/tweets/references that predate all this. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/3000 "2022-09-20T15:12:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > As a non-legal type, I think this case is the first time (or close to it) that I’ve heard of a ‘special master’. It sounds like something trump would have made up (“I want a master, the best master…maybe even a special master [looks at someone off camera], can we do that, can we get a special master?”). I first heard of it in the OJ case. For reasons lost in the mists of history, a knife that was potential evidence was turned over to a S.M. [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=149) [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=151)