# 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:** 382
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7644 "2024-01-14T19:48:48Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But if the defense is “my client did it but he’s insane” or “my client did it because he got really bad advice from a lawyer”…. that’s something the DEFENSE has to prove, and the prosecution has to be given notice so they can prepare to refute the defense….its not something the defense can pull out as a surprise on the first day of the trial. This last season of L&O that was a common thing- to change their plea halfway thru the trial. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7645 "2024-01-28T23:18:30Z")
For those who are interested, I linked to a calendar of the upcoming events in Trump’s civil and criminal trials: > [@Civil Trial: Trump v E. Jean Carroll (Carroll wins, awarded $5 million, plus 83.3 million)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-trial-trump-v-e-jean-carroll-carroll-wins-awarded-5-million-plus-83-3-million/982820/861): > > Here’s a [44pg PDF](https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Master-Calendar-of-Trump-Court-Dates-Criminal-and-Civil-Cases-Jan.-5-2024.pdf) of the “Master Calendar of Trump Court Dates: Criminal and Civil Cases” for those interested in such things. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7646 "2024-01-29T20:28:07Z")
Just seeing this, but I don’t see the “fury”. Just a minor decision that went against you, but within normal Judge discretion. No deadlines were moved or changed. Very basically…based on public comments about Trump blaming this on his lawyers, the Gov’t wants the Judge to enter an Order that this possible blaming on lawyers decision needs to be formalized 60 days before trial, or March 20, 2024. Those public comments would amount to an “affirmative defense” (ie, I did it, but it wasn’t my fault). It’s a reasonable request. However, as stated by the Gov’t, there is no specific federal rule for this affirmative defense, and Courts have broad discretion when it comes to Defense using it, the timing, etc. Judge Cannon denied the Gov’t motion and said it would be best addressed later after other discovery has been completed. So, we are left where we started, the affirmative defense will have to be asserted at some point, we just don’t know exactly when _right now._ I don’t see how this delays anything. Assuming Trump wants to use this defense (which he has not yet asserted), it’s not like any deadlines were moved in this decision. There is nothing magical or written in stone about 60 days notice to assert this defense. I’d guess, another reason in play (other than an orderly discovery process), was to get Trump to admit to doing these acts by March 20, 2024 (assuming the strong possibility that the trial would be delayed after that date to some unknown point in time). When you assert an affirmative defense you admit to doing the acts you are accused of, just with legal justification. It would be a big deal. The meat and potatoes of this case is moving along at least. CIPA Sec 3 protective order has been ordered by Judge (order “against the disclosure of any classified information disclosed by the United States to any defendant in any criminal case.”). Defendant’s not happy about it, but it’s routine. Next up is Sec 4, the _not normal in most criminal trials but normal in this criminal trial_ “secret” hearings (ex parte) that I’m sure Defendants will raise hell about. CIPA Sec 4 allows the Gov’t to delete certain classified items from the discovery they turn over to Defendants, and/or provide unclassified summaries (I’m pretty sure all discovery turned over so far has only been unclassified - e.g., video of moving boxes around, etc)). Then there is Sec 5 (what classified evidence the Defendants intend to use at trial so Gov’t can decide whether to move forward or not with that crime; e.g., Defendant has a right to defend themselves with that classified info but we don’t want world to know about it so we’ll drop that charge), and finally Sec 6 (the Judge’s ruling on all of it)…then the trial. This is where the Judge will be out of her league as would most Judge’s, but I’m sure they can get to the affirmative defenses. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7647 "2024-02-02T17:15:44Z")
The FBI may have missed a few places during their search of Mar-a-lago. I hesitate to wonder what Trump might have stored in a secret room that was accessible from his bedroom. > **[Did the FBI miss a ‘hidden’ room while searching Mar-a-Lago?](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fbi-miss-hidden-room-searching-mar-lago-rcna136911)** > > What the FBI found at Mar-a-Lago was devastating for Donald Trump. But new reporting suggests there were spaces that investigators missed. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7648 "2024-02-02T18:02:02Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I hesitate to wonder what Trump might have stored in a secret room that was accessible from his bedroom. Probably his porn stash. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7649 "2024-02-02T18:38:31Z")
Ketchup cellar. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7650 "2024-02-02T18:44:25Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Probably his porn stash. Now I’m picturing Trump with a vast collection of glue-on 70s style porn 'staches, which he models to himself in front of a mirror, and I insist that everyone else must suffer along with me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7651 "2024-02-02T18:53:50Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > > [@CalMeacham](#): > > > > Probably his porn stash. > > Now I’m picturing Trump with a vast collection of glue-on 70s style porn 'staches, which he models to himself in front of a mirror, and I insist that everyone else must suffer along with me. - Trump is a fine example of what a “True 'Murkin” looks like. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7652 "2024-02-02T18:54:11Z")
Damn you! Damn you all to hell and back! And I was just about to have lunch… ETA: and you’re no help, **running\_coach**! ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7653 "2024-02-02T18:56:46Z")
Moderating: Heading off the hijack at the pass: Let’s please not derail this thread with a discussion about Trump’s porn stash. Thanks. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7654 "2024-02-02T20:52:41Z")
Trump kept the documents right there in the john, and on stage, classified documents on a stage for the love of all that is blatant. A secret room contained other things, certainly. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7655 "2024-02-02T21:08:42Z")
Nevermind, off topic. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7656 "2024-02-03T00:13:40Z")
Pretty sure this is on-topic as it involves Walt Nauta: > > **[He Was Accused of Sexual Misconduct. Then Trump Hired Him. Then He Was...](https://www.thedailybeast.com/walt-nauta-was-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-then-trump-hired-him-then-he-was-indicted-in-mar-a-lago-case)** > > Trump body man Walt Nauta is a critical figure in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. Trump only hired him after Nauta was dismissed from the White House over sexual harassment claims. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7657 "2024-02-03T01:27:44Z")
Trump hires only the _best_ people. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecccb3/32.png) [@Old\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Old_Wench)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7658 "2024-02-03T01:49:17Z")
I just have to say that, no matter what the duties are, “Trump body man” sounds like the absolute worst job in the entire universe. 🤮 ---
**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:** [February 3, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7659 "2024-02-03T01:58:49Z")
n/m – thought this was a Pit thread ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7660 "2024-02-03T18:37:19Z")
Jack Smith filed a detailed rebuttal to Team Trump’s request for extra discovery. Politico link: [Special counsel mounts forceful — and unusual — defense of Trump classified documents case - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/02/special-counsel-mounts-forceful-and-unusual-defense-of-trump-classified-documents-case-00139456) And link to the filing (PDF, 68 pages): [https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653.277.0.pdf](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653.277.0.pdf) IANAL, so I don’t know how unusual this is, or how pedantic. Any better informed folks have opinions? Am I even characterizing this correctly? And is it just me, or is Jack Smith in the position of an FIDE grand master playing chess against a pigeon? With the caveat that if there’s any poop on the board, he might lose anyway. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7661 "2024-02-03T18:48:28Z")
> [@Typo\_Knig](#): > > IANAL, so I don’t know how unusual this is… I haven’t looked at the actual documents, but that article does make this comment “The approach taken in the legal brief is somewhat unusual for the Justice Department”. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7662 "2024-02-03T23:13:44Z")
It reads like one would expect. Mr smith is dealing with an inexperienced judge and lawyers who are filing at the whims of Mr trump. The filing spells things out very minutely which is needed. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/7663 "2024-02-08T15:55:53Z")
> **[“Awful and unethical”: Legal experts say Judge Cannon could face removal for...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/awful-unethical-legal-experts-judge-140434916.html)** > > "Compromising national security is a bridge too far,” says longtime Harvard legal scholar Laurence Tribe. > Smith’s team opposed making information public that could reveal the identity or any personal identifying information of any potential witnesses in the case or any transcripts or other documents they may have provided, citing concerns about witness intimidation. > > Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled in Trump’s favor on the matter, [writing](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653/gov.uscourts.flsd.648653.283.0_1.pdf): “Following an independent review of the Motion and the full record, the Court determines, with limited exceptions as detailed below, that the Special Counsel has not set forth a sufficient factual or legal basis warranting deviation from the strong presumption in favor of public access to the records at issue.” > > Cannon questioned Smith’s concern for witnesses, writing that “the Special Counsel’s sparse and undifferentiated Response fails to provide the Court with the necessary factual basis to justify sealing.” [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=381) [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=383)