# 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:** 407
**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:** [May 7, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8146 "2024-05-07T22:50:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > However, Judge Cannon is set for life. Likely the next SC vacancy is hers. Which is likely what she’s gambling on here. That assumes Trump will reward her efforts. Once she saves him, what’s in it for him? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8147 "2024-05-07T22:53:08Z")
And, too, let’s not lose sight of the fact that Trump is going to lose in November. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8148 "2024-05-07T22:53:58Z")
I agree with you on this. And may we both be right! ---
**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:** [May 8, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8149 "2024-05-08T21:11:50Z")
I’m just going to tack this onto each of the threads for all of Trump’s pending criminal cases: > **[Timeline: Key legal and electoral dates for Donald Trump](https://www.yahoo.com/news/timeline-key-legal-and-electoral-dates-for-donald-trump-165958629.html)** > > In order to make sense of Trump's often-overlapping election and court dates, we’ve put together a comprehensive timeline that is constantly being updated. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8150 "2024-05-08T21:20:04Z")
I’d like our legal experts to chime in on whether a writ of mandamus could now be in play, and if not, at what point of the slow walk does it become absurd even to our “well, this is how we do things” judiciary in higher courts. I’d also like to point out that I just used the term “writ of mandamus,” which means I’m super smart. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8151 "2024-05-09T00:02:06Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > I’d like our legal experts to chime in on whether a writ of mandamus could now be in play, and if not, at what point of the slow walk does it become absurd even to our “well, this is how we do things” judiciary in higher courts. I suppose we could theoretically, someday, reach a limit. We’re nowhere close to a place where an appellate court would tell the trial court how to run its own calendar. I’ve waited over a year for a federal judge to issue an order on a summary judgment motion. If the defendant isn’t screaming for a “speedy” trial, a Federal District Court can easily take many years before anyone would care. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8152 "2024-05-09T00:39:56Z")
Got it. Depressing…thanks for the info. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8153 "2024-05-15T20:50:14Z")
A current synopsis of where the Mandamus issue might stand, along with a couple of legal scholars’ opinions about whether … it’s time. Spoiler alert: there is some academic support for taking that step. > **[Jack Smith Basically Has One Option to Save the Classified Documents Case](https://www.yahoo.com/news/jack-smith-doesn-t-many-162732587.html)** > > It's a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8154 "2024-05-15T20:55:02Z")
Could some of you legal-talking types explain to the rest of us what the relevance would be of a writ of mandamus, here, and how it would work? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8155 "2024-05-15T21:00:03Z")
I would just like to point out that the Slate article proves my super-smartness. Our attorneys may now step in to answer any questions and I’ll correct them as necessary. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8156 "2024-05-15T21:11:24Z")
IANAL. Most of what I know, I learned from reading @Stratocaster 's posts 😉 I think the **[Cornell article](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/mandamus#)** (linked to in the Slate article) boils it down well: I think you’re going over your contact’s head (in this case, Judge Aileen Cannon), to her bosses (in this case, the 11th Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals, and saying – in effect – Cannon isn’t getting it done and we’ve exhausted all reasonable remedies to push her to do her (damned) job. You’re asking the 11th to _direct_ Cannon to get off the dime, rule on the outstanding Motions, and get this case moving. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8157 "2024-05-15T21:18:26Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > IANAL. Most of what I know, I learned from reading @Stratocaster 's posts 😉 😄 Stupid Discourse. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8158 "2024-05-15T21:55:26Z")
A Writ is possible, but it’s a huge long shot. Federal judges simply get to control their own docket. Trump will be tried _someday,_ and Smith’s desire that he be tried _before the election_ is not the kind of thing the appellate court would consider. I’d love to be wrong. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8159 "2024-05-15T22:01:21Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Trump will be tried _someday,_ and Smith’s desire that he be tried _before the election_ is not the kind of thing the appellate court would consider. I expect the courts explicitly are not supposed to operate with that consideration. They should not be attempting to influence the election one way or the other, even though it’s probable that he’d evade justice by getting elected. As much as it pisses me off, and I’m not convinced that Cannon isn’t dragging her feet intentionally because of the election. I think she’s a disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8160 "2024-05-15T22:03:29Z")
I know this word has gotten quite a workout in recent years, but don’t the **unprecedented** aspects of this case make the writ more compelling? He’ll possibly be the next president, for Pete’s sake. Doesn’t the public interest in this never-before situation ratchet up the need for the writ to be entertained? ---
**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:** [May 15, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8161 "2024-05-15T22:23:24Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Trump will be tried _someday,_ and Smith’s desire that he be tried _before the election_ is not the kind of thing the appellate court would consider. To be clear, Smith can never say this explicitly. It would be super wrong/political. All Smith can say, is the public has a (vague) interest in a speedy trial. We all read into what that means. He can’t, and should not, say why - at least not anything about the election and that Trump might get elected and have his own case dismissed, etc. As long as it’s not intentionally taking too long\*\*, the election has no bearing on how fast this should go. Legally speaking. Of course it does in the real world. \*\*Cannon is a shitty Judge and there may be a point where the cumulative effect is overwhelming and blinding. But not, yet. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8162 "2024-05-15T23:00:33Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Federal judges simply get to control their own docket. Loose Cannon is nowhere near this point, but isn’t there [ SOME judicial oversight?](https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/judicial-administration/administrative-oversight-and-accountability#:~:text=Federal%20Judiciary%20oversight%20mechanisms%20deter,%2C%20statutory%2C%20and%20regulatory%20standards) Not only in cases such as fraud, but if a judge simply isn’t moving their docket? I never really dealt with it, but ISTR some judges and Magistrate Judges referring to someone keeping track of how their docket was moving, as one reason not to allow excessive delay. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8163 "2024-05-16T06:31:53Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > All Smith can say, is the public has a (vague) interest in a speedy trial. “Justice delayed is justice denied”. As in Magna Carta: “_To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or justice_ .” Whether and how that applies here… ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2024, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8164 "2024-05-16T08:50:53Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > To be clear, Smith can never say this explicitly. It would be super wrong/political. All Smith can say, is the public has a (vague) interest in a speedy trial. We all read into what that means. He can’t, and should not, say why - at least not anything about the election and that Trump might get elected and have his own case dismissed, etc. I don’t think the legit public interest is speculation that Trump may get elected and make his Federal woes disappear, as reasonable as that speculation would be. The legal question hanging in the air is, did a nominee for president egregiously abuse his presidential authority? I can’t think of a more compelling reason for a trial before the election, one vital to the public’s interest. The outcome of such a speedy trial could exonerate Trump. Or not. The issue is not the need to push the outcome in a particular direction. The issue is that it’s unresolved. This is a singular situation, and I think a reasonable argument can be made specific to the election. The trials are about the abuse of presidential powers, for Pete’s sake. This would not be gaming the system for base political reasons, IMO. I don’t see the need to keep to vague generalities. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/8165 "2024-05-16T13:15:18Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I think you’re going over your contact’s head (in this case, Judge Aileen Cannon), to her bosses (in this case, the 11th Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals, I would just qualify that by saying that the appellate judges are not the bosses of the District Court judges. The District Court judges are independent of the appellate courts. They’re subject to review by the appellate courts, but it’s not like bosses in a company. [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=406) [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=408)