In this sample from the CAFE Insider podcast, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance break down DOJ’s unsealed, heavily-redacted affidavit in support of the Mar-a-Lago search warrant and a memorandum of law explaining the redactions. 

Did DOJ present a strong case that there was probable cause to believe that the FBI would find evidence relating to a potential crime at Mar-a-Lago? Why did DOJ make so many redactions to the affidavit? And does former President Donald Trump have strong arguments to challenge the search?

In the full episode, Preet and Joyce discuss:

• The letter that Trump’s lawyer sent to DOJ to persuade prosecutors to stop the investigation into his alleged mishandling of presidential documents; 
• The order in which a federal judge signaled willingness to grant Trump’s request for the court to appoint a special master to review the seized documents;
• DOJ’s request for permission to file an extra-long brief in response to Trump’s claims; and 
• The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s investigation into the potential national security risks arising from the disclosure of information contained in the seized documents.

Stay informed. For analysis of the most important legal and political issues of our time, try the membership for one month for $1.00: www.cafe.com/insider. You’ll get access to full episodes of the podcast, and other exclusive benefits.

This podcast is brought to you by CAFE Studios and Vox Media Podcast Network. 

Tamara Sepper – Executive Producer; Jake Kaplan – Editorial Producer; David Tatasciore – Audio Producer

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: 

In re Sealed Search Warrant, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, United States’ sealed, ex parte memorandum of law regarding proposed redactions, 8/25/22

In the Matter of the Search of: Locations Within the Premises to Be Searched In Attachment A, affidavit in support of an application under rule 41 for a warrant to search and seize, U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 8/5/22