Trump Asks Court For Special Master Review Of Mar-A-Lago Search

PALM BEACH, FL — Former President Donald Trump has asked for a “special master” to review materials seized during an FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month, according to multiple reports.

His legal team asked a federal court in Florida Monday afternoon to appoint a third party to examine the documents taken from his private club and permanent residence and look for potential privileged information, Politico reported. It’s a move that temporarily blocks the FBI from reviewing the materials.

In the first legal filing by Trump’s team since the Aug. 8 raid of his estate while the FBI executed a search warrant, the former president's legal team argued his constitutional rights were violated, according to CNN.

“Law enforcement is a shield that protects Americans,” the filing states, according to The Washington Post. “It cannot be used as a weapon for political purposes. Therefore, we seek judicial assistance in the aftermath of an unprecedented and unnecessary raid on President Trump’s home at Mar- a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.”

His lawyers also asked that investigators be blocked from reviewing the seized documents until a third party can review them, reports said.

Judge Bruce E. Reinhart has already been considering unsealing parts of the Justice Department affidavit that led to the FBI raid of the former president’s home.

Federal agents took boxes of classified records that Trump allegedly took with him when he left the White House.

In a statement at the time of the FBI search, Trump said it was unannounced, and though he initially said he cooperated, he speculated that it was politically motivated.