# FBI Search and Seizure at Trump's Mar-A-Lago Residence, August 8, 2022, Case Dismissed July 15, 2024

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329>\
**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:** 339

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6761 "2023-07-11T16:16:42Z")

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> [@Akaj](#):
>
> That’s an excellent point. If Trump truly thinks this is all just political bullshit with no basis in reality, why not prove it as soon as he can?

The unsupported and vague accusation does enough work that no proof is needed and would indeed be detrimental, of course

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6762 "2023-07-11T16:22:41Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> > [@Robot\_Arm](#):
> >
> > It seems like Trump’s team is essentially saying “we don’t know how long it will take us to be ready, so don’t even choose a date, yet.”
> 
> I’m wondering this, too. Would some knowledgeable legal eagle address @Robot_Arm’s disturbing question. And the likelihood of Cannon going along with this request?

There are times this could be true. I don’t see this as one of those times. There will be some motions (on attorney-client privilege and other more routine things). Even with that, there’s no reason the case can’t be tried 4 to 6 month from now. Most federal judges are pretty hard ass about keeping things moving, but there are certainly exceptions. We sometimes wait over a year for decisions on routine summary judgment motions, for example. I won’t predict what Judge Cannon is likely to do, but I will say what she _should_ do: Set the trial as requested by the special counsel.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6763 "2023-07-11T16:42:22Z")

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> [@Procrustus](#):
>
> Nonetheless, guilty people should be convicted and suffer the consequences.

Yes, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Fair is fair. If Trump should be prosecuted despite the Republicans wanting him to run for President, then he should be prosecuted despite his disqualification potentially helping the Republicans regain the White House. This is a matter of justice, not a political stunt.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6764 "2023-07-11T16:43:03Z")

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> [@Akaj](#):
>
> That’s an excellent point. If Trump truly thinks this is all just political bullshit with no basis in reality, why not prove it as soon as he can?

Because Trump (or at least his legal team) knows that this is a slam dunk case. Their ONLY hope is to delay this for as long as possible, and pray that Trump gets elected and pardons himself. That’s their only strategy at the moment; delay, delay, delay.

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**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6765 "2023-07-11T16:50:18Z")

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> [@Love\_Rhombus](#):
>
> > [@Akaj](#):
> >
> > That’s an excellent point. If Trump truly thinks this is all just political bullshit with no basis in reality, why not prove it as soon as he can?
> 
> The unsupported and vague accusation does enough work that no proof is needed and would indeed be detrimental, of course

> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> Because Trump (or at least his legal team) knows that this is a slam dunk case. Their ONLY hope is to delay this for as long as possible, and pray that Trump gets elected and pardons himself. That’s their only strategy at the moment; delay, delay, delay.

Yes and yes. My question was hypothetical, and probably should have been stated with an /s.

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**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6766 "2023-07-11T18:11:25Z")

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6 months is enough time to get through the evidence. they can start with the evidence they can see now, the videos, texts, phone calls, etc., and then have time to do the classified stuff when they get clearance ( a much smaller about of stuff). this isn’t one lawyer going through all of this. this is a team going through all of it.

having it all taken care of by the end of dec. would be helpful for everyone.

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**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6767 "2023-07-11T18:46:39Z")

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> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> That’s their only strategy at the moment; delay, delay, delay.

And it’s worth noting that this has been Trumps standard legal tactic his whole life. He delays every trial he can, in hopes that the other party will run out of funds, or get so tired of waiting that they’ll settle on Trump’s terms, just to have an end to it.

There’s no reason to give him the benefit of the doubt here - he’s delaying just to delay. Any “reason” he cites is really just an excuse - and there **will** be another one once this delay starts to run out. That’s how he rolls.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6768 "2023-07-11T18:52:10Z")

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> [@rocking\_chair](#):
>
> having it all taken care of by the end of dec. would be helpful for everyone.

Except Trump. Because there is only one result that’s going to happen at the end of all this. Trump knows this.

Delay, delay, delay. Hope that help comes from his buddy Putin for the upcoming election. I’m confident that there are talks ongoing right now between Trump’s team and Putin’s team outlining the cooperation and quid pro quo.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6769 "2023-07-11T20:26:52Z")

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The most bizarre, otherwordly argument of all is the one that goes “I don’t have time to be tried for crimes – I’m too busy running for President of the United States”. The contempt with which Trump regards the justice system – and, indeed, all the important institutions of society – is palpable. Yet at a recent small town event (in NC, I think) the Orange Peril attracted a record crowd of 50,000 – more than six times the town’s entire population. We truly are living in an idiocracy. This picture was posted in another thread but it’s just so appropriate here that I’m stealing it …

[![](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/9bc3103d7d198f62ba51b25512e501be.jpg) ](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/9bc3103d7d198f62ba51b25512e501be.jpg)

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6770 "2023-07-11T20:42:04Z")

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> [@MulderMuffin](#):
>
> We all knew he’d attempt to delay. It’ll be enlightening to see how Cannon rules on this. If she let’s _this_ defendant claim he’s just “too busy” to face justice then we’ll know she’s the partisan hack we’ve been fearing.

If she does I’d love it if the more ordinary felon-accused try it, like **MulderMuffin** ’s Sack 'n Suds statement above.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6771 "2023-07-11T20:45:56Z")

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> [@MulderMuffin](#):
>
> Sack 'n Suds

> [@DesertDog](#):
>
> Sack 'n Suds

Nitpick  
Sac-O-Suds

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6772 "2023-07-11T20:47:44Z")

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That’s in Alabama. She’s in Florida.

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**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6773 "2023-07-11T21:05:53Z")

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> [@Horatius](#):
>
> And it’s worth noting that this has been Trumps standard legal tactic his whole life. He delays every trial he can, in hopes that the other party will run out of funds, or get so tired of waiting that they’ll settle on Trump’s terms, just to have an end to it.

That tactic, to delay as much as possible, works for Trump in civil matters, because the other side is a private party with limited resources. If Trump stiffs a contractor, and the contractor sues for what is owed, Trump’s “delay, delay, delay” means that sooner or later the contractor will look at how much it has available to continue prosecuting the matter; and realizing that this is costing more than it’s worth and that something is better than nothing, will accept whatever terms Trump is offering, and that’s that.

But this is a criminal matter, and I don’t think Trump realizes that. He’s not up against Joe Bloggs Plumbers Inc.; he’s up against the US government. He might be able to wear down Joe Bloggs with constant delays, but he won’t wear down the government. I’m sure that his lawyers are telling him that, but as we know well, if Trump doesn’t like the truth, he will refuse to believe it.

I’ll add that I rather like Jack Smith’s approach to the matter: he’s being quiet. Oh, I’m sure he and his team are working hard on the matter, but Smith is not speaking about the matter (though he very briefly did once, and took no questions). He’s not holding press conferences, speaking with reporters, or otherwise making any noise. And this must infuriate Trump, because he’s not being given anything to rebut in the court of public opinion, as he often seems to love to do.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6774 "2023-07-11T21:17:41Z")

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I can develop a hypothetical where the “President defense” makes sense. But that only works with anyone that isn’t Trump.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6775 "2023-07-11T21:18:05Z")

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> [@Spoons](#):
>
> But this is a criminal matter, and I don’t think Trump realizes that. He’s not up against Joe Bloggs Plumbers Inc.; he’s up against the US government.

But if the Judge allows him to delay, and he wins the Presidential election, forget about it. How she rules here is going to speak volumes.

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**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6776 "2023-07-11T21:21:51Z")

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This may be one reason why the DOJ has still not yet pulled the trigger on additional indictments in other jurisdictions. Waiting to see what Cannon does first.

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**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6777 "2023-07-11T21:34:45Z")

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I believe a delay could be appealed – if Cannon delays indefinitely, or for an absurd length (i.e. anything close to the 2024 election), then ISTM that there’s a good chance the delay would be overturned.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6778 "2023-07-11T21:53:00Z")

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Seems to me that running for president is a choice. If one is too busy doing… other things, perhaps one should reconsider creating a situation that places so many demands on one’s precious time.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6779 "2023-07-11T22:08:00Z")

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I’d argue that it’s also better for the American people for a criminal trial of a candidate to be resolved before any election involving that candidate. Whether someone committed a crime is relevant information to any rational person deciding whether to vote for them.

Sure, ideally you’d have the trial before the campaign starts. But there were circumstances to prevent this—from just how long investigations take, and the fact that the alleged was ongoing just 3 months before Trump announced his candidacy.

Sure, if there was anything remotely credible to suggest that this allegations were a sham, you could argue it’s getting in the way of the political process. But that’s not the case here. The known facts support at least the indictment of the crime. And it’s not like there wasn’t already a lot of deferral.

That would be the argument I’d make against any deferral. You guys already said why it doesn’t make sense for Trump (unless he’s guilty). But it doesn’t make sense for the American people, either. Not even from a purely political perspective.

Plus, well, it’s not like Trump would be doing the majority of the work on his case. There is some inconvenience to him, but not a lot. And a great reward if he’s found not guilty.

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**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:** [July 11, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/6780 "2023-07-11T22:21:32Z")

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> [@BigT](#):
>
> I’d argue that it’s also better for the American people for a criminal trial of a candidate to be resolved before any election involving that candidate. Whether someone committed a crime is relevant information to any rational person deciding whether to vote for them.

This is the argument that needs to be made, and who knows, maybe the prosecution _is_ making this argument, but only where it actually matters. (In court.) Wrapping this up as quickly as possible while still allowing time for everything to be thorough and fair is in everyone’s best interests.

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