# 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:** 86

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**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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1701 "2022-08-26T22:19:17Z")

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Some front-page headlines:

FBI crushed over heavily redacted Mar-a-Lago raid affidavit: ‘NO reason for raid,’ ‘grave travesty’

Biden seemingly apologizes to his own staff after taking questions from press

Arroyo: Federal agents are being used to do political bidding

Rep. Waltz: Biden’s response to Afghan withdrawal a ‘slap in the face’ for Gold Star families

Woman who paid off student loans reacts to Biden’s debt bailout

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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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1702 "2022-08-26T22:20:21Z")

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Thanks! I owe you.

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**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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1703 "2022-08-26T22:22:13Z")

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No problem, though I do have to go in a private window or else Google thinks I want to see Fox in my phone’s news feed.

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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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1704 "2022-08-26T22:22:53Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#):
>
> FBI crushed over heavily redacted Mar-a-Lago raid affidavit: ‘NO reason for raid,’ ‘grave travesty’

That’s a very badly-written headline. What it means is that the FBI is being “crushed by criticism”, if you read the content of the story. But the headline as written implies that the FBI is crushed to see the affidavit released, and admit there was no reason for the raid, and are calling it a grave travesty.

All the story is doing is repeating some of the criticisms from right wing pundits after seeing the affidavit. It’s not much of a story. (Then again, we’re talking about Fox News here.)

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**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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1705 "2022-08-26T22:45:23Z")

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I watched Fox News Channel today for a bit, as I just like to understand how they’re spinning things. They kept on trying to focus on the idea that a raid wasn’t necessary since there is evidence that Trump was cooperating. Comments like “why the sudden shift for a raid, when there was already dialogue going on? What changed? It has to be a political hit.” They were essentially pinning it on Biden, saying that he had to have authorized it.

With respect to the affidavit, somehow the redacted portions must be hiding stuff that would favor Trump, while the unredacted portions prove that there was nothing in the document that would have affected the investigation, and thus it was BS that it was not released until now.

So basically, the tactic seems to be obfuscation. Watch the dancing bear and then vote Republican.

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**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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1706 "2022-08-26T22:50:26Z")

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> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> somehow the redacted portions must be hiding stuff that would favor Trump,

Yeah, like witnesses he and his mob could harass. Details of how the FBI is surveying him. Things that no prosecutor would reveal before a trial. They are not required to do that at this time as there is still an active investigation going on. They just had to reveal enough to justify the warrant, that’s all.

These right wing nut jobs just like to pretend they don’t know the process so they can keep the sheep sending in money. Believe you me, they are scared and reaching for some bullshit to save themselves.

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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:** [August 26, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1707 "2022-08-26T22:58:16Z")

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> [@Si\_Amigo](#):
>
> These right wing nut jobs just like to pretend they don’t know the process so they can keep the sheep sending in money. Believe you me, they are scared and reaching for some bullshit to save themselves.

I think this is spot on.

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**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1708 "2022-08-26T23:21:24Z")

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> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> They kept on trying to focus on the idea that a raid wasn’t necessary since there is evidence that Trump was cooperating.

I’ve been getting my right wing news from WABC in New York city. That’s how they’re spinning it (disregarding the evidence he wasn’t). New York City? I thought they hated Trump.

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**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1709 "2022-08-26T23:37:19Z")

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> [@dougrb](#):
>
> I’ve been getting my right wing news from WABC in New York city. That’s how they’re spinning it (disregarding the evidence he wasn’t). New York City? I thought they hated Trump.

Owner:  
“John Catsimatidis was the runner-up to the Republican nomination for mayor of New York City in the 2013 election. He and his family run the Manhattan Republican Party.” -wiki

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**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1710 "2022-08-26T23:58:57Z")

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> [@GreysonCarlisle](#):
>
> Who wouldn’t?

If they fail to convict - - - EVERYONE wouldn’t.  
I keep hoping the courts are not as persuaded by the media and by the conventional wisdom of a majority of citizens/voters-- but I am not overly optimistic.

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**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1711 "2022-08-27T00:19:08Z")

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> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> …  
> So basically, the tactic seems to be obfuscation. Watch the dancing bear and then vote Republican.

I am beginning to think this whole “Classified-Gate” is just theater. That is, no nuclear secrets, no foreign agents, no nothing except that he was not storing what he had very securely and the NARA did not know exactly what he had. The national security angle is that without knowing what secrets he had, the NSA could not adequately determine what threat would exist if they fell into the wrong hands. That is, the DoJ had a legitimate reason for seizing these records, but they may not have had any evidence that any national secrets were actively in jeopardy (not that they have indicated there were any or is this a necessary condition to justify the search and seizure).

Frankly, I am beginning to suspect that Trump was actively trying to get the DoJ to try to haul him into court or execute a search warrant, specifically so he could claim “It’s just a witch hunt, just like Russia! Russia! Russia, just like the J6 committee hearings, just like the tax investigations. No matter what I do, they are going to investigate.”

I think that is why the motion for a Special Master is such a joke. It was never intended to do anything except let Trump tell everyone how evil the FBI and DoJ are for hounding him.

In the end, there isn’t anything going to happen over these documents. Trump may be fined, but likely will spin it so that he can say “They didn’t put me in jail because it was all just a witch hunt.”

The only bright side of this whole business is that I get the feeling that the GOP is getting tired of all this crap. If, miracle upon miracle, the Democrats gain Senate seats and maintain a majority in the House, they may decide he has too much baggage.

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**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1712 "2022-08-27T00:46:47Z")

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> [@Temporary\_Name](#):
>
> who wants to have their name associated with the very first criminal charges against a former president?

Somebody has to be first.  
The first 40 seconds covers this. The rest is good too. Glenn Kirchner

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Eek2fKdEB2E/maxresdefault.jpg "Newly unreacted DOJ memo reinforces Bill Barr's coverup of Trump's obstruction of justice crimes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eek2fKdEB2E&t=218s)

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**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1713 "2022-08-27T00:50:17Z")

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> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> I am beginning to think this whole “Classified-Gate” is just theater. That is, no nuclear secrets, no foreign agents, no nothing except that he was not storing what he had very securely and the NARA did not know exactly what he had. The national security angle is that without knowing what secrets he had, the NSA could not adequately determine what threat would exist if they fell into the wrong hands. That is, the DoJ had a legitimate reason for seizing these records, but they may not have had any evidence that any national secrets were actively in jeopardy (not that they have indicated there were any or is this a necessary condition to justify the search and seizure).
> 
> Frankly, I am beginning to suspect that Trump was actively trying to get the DoJ to try to haul him into court or execute a search warrant, specifically so he could claim “It’s just a witch hunt, just like Russia! Russia! Russia, just like the J6 committee hearings, just like the tax investigations. No matter what I do, they are going to investigate.”

Poe’s law doing a lot of work here.

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**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1714 "2022-08-27T00:54:23Z")

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Yet another “Trump is capable of playing 5-D chess” post… despite ALL evidence to the contrary.

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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:** [August 27, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1715 "2022-08-27T00:58:40Z")

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> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> I am beginning to think this whole “Classified-Gate” is just theater. That is, no nuclear secrets, no foreign agents, no nothing except that he was not storing what he had very securely and the NARA did not know exactly what he had.

If there’s one thing everyone knows about Merrick Garland, is that he is a man who loves his theatrics, right?

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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:** [August 27, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1716 "2022-08-27T01:01:43Z")

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> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> If there’s one thing everyone knows about Merrick Garland, is that he is a man who loves his theatrics, right? -

LOL, thank you, I needed that wonderful laugh!

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**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:** [August 27, 2022, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1717 "2022-08-27T01:05:34Z")

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I just got to +1 this one. Bravo. 🤣

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**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1718 "2022-08-27T01:09:27Z")

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> [@Kron](#):
>
> Yet another “Trump is capable of playing 5-D chess” post…

SNL should revive the Ronald Reagan sketch with DJT.

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/b5wfPlgKFh8/maxresdefault.jpg "President Reagan, Mastermind - SNL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5wfPlgKFh8)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [August 27, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/1719 "2022-08-27T01:52:10Z")

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**excavating\_for\_a\_mind** has a certain point. If there was anything incriminating in these documents, they would have been destroyed. If there was anything valuable, there’d be scans or copies. It can be simultaneously true that the classified material is boring AND Trump is a criminal for not turning it over. It’s also pointless, given the above, to speculate about why Trump might not have turned everything over. He’s an idiot, and that should be enough explanation for anyone.

There’s been a lot of breathless reporting in this thread, many from random tweets citing anonymous sources. Some of that information has been wrong, much of it has been pure speculation. And I’m getting flashbacks of the Mueller investigation. There’s a pattern of something being discovered – speculation abounding – anonymous sources confirming a likely explanation – team Trump circling their wagons and coming up with a bullshit defense – and then the actual information comes out and it lands with a wet thud. I know this really isn’t the way the world works anymore, but it would be so much better if the first we heard about any of this was when the indictment landed. As it is, the charges that come from this, if any, are going to seem anticlimactic to the left and irrelevant to the right.

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**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:** [August 27, 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-15-2024/969329/1720 "2022-08-27T02:01:44Z")

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> **[It’s Over: Trump Will Be Indicted](https://www.yahoo.com/news/over-trump-indicted-220111093.html)**
>
> There is little left for the Justice Department to do but decide whether to wait until after the midterms to formally seek the indictment from the grand jury.

> (1) Trump was in unauthorized possession of national defense information, namely properly marked classified documents.
> 
> (2) He was put on notice by the U.S. Government that he was not permitted to retain those documents at Mar-a-Lago.
> 
> (3) He continued to maintain possession of the documents (and allegedly undertook efforts to conceal them in different places throughout the property) up until the FBI finally executed a search warrant earlier this month.

I hope so. No one should be above the law. Especially traitors.

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