An independent expert will examine documents seized in August from former President Donald Trump’s residence in Florida.

Judge Eileen Cannon partially acquitted Trump, saying the court ordered an expert to be appointed to examine any personal effects, documents and other materials. Cannon was appointed to this position by Trump himself a few months before the end of his term.

The decision temporarily prohibits police and prosecutors from using this material in the context of their criminal investigation. But they can study the documents “for the purpose of categorizing them and evaluating national security.”

Cannon’s decision is seen as a victory for Trump and a major setback for the Justice Department, which opposed appointing a third independent party to the case because it could hinder investigators’ access to documents and “damage government interests, including those relating to the national interest.” safety”.

Cannon said the appointment of this independent monitor would be made “without delay” and asked both parties to submit lists of potential candidates she would invite to a hearing, likely on Friday.

On August 8, FBI agents raided Donald Trump’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, where they found boxes of confidential and classified documents that the former president took with him when he left the White House. Trump claims it was an “illegal and unconstitutional” investigation and reiterates that it was politically motivated. He even said that the agents also took documents protected by law.

Authorities suspect Trump violated the Espionage Act by carrying confidential and classified documents. He assures that the documents have been declassified.

Among the seized files, 18 were categorized as “top secret”, 53 as “confidential” and 31 as “confidential”. Dozens of empty folders marked “classified” were also found, which could mean that confidential documents were lost or destroyed.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters, AFP.