The decision will stop any review of the documents by the Justice Department as part of its criminal investigation. “The Court authorizes the appointment of a special master to examine the seized property for personal effects and documents and potentially privileged material subject to claims of attorney-client and/or executive privilege,” the federal judge said in her order Monday. “Furthermore, in natural conjunction with this appointment, and consistent with the merits and sequence of special substantive proceedings, the Court also temporarily orders the government to review and use the seized material for investigative purposes pending the completion of the review of the special master or further court order.” An aerial view shows President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, August 10, 2022. Steve Helber/AP Judge Cannon said this appointment does not impede ongoing classification review and national security assessments conducted by the intelligence community. “The government can continue to review and use the seized materials for purposes of classified intelligence and national security assessments,” Cannon said. FBI photo of redacted documents and classified covers recovered from a container stored at former US President Donald Trump’s Florida estate, included in a US Department of Justice filing on August 30, 2022. US Department of Justice via Reuters The judge gave the Justice Department and Trump’s team until Friday to meet and submit a joint list of proposed special master nominees and a proposed order outlining the special master’s duties and limitations. For now, Judge Cannon said she is reserving a decision on whether Trump should have any seized property returned to him. “The United States is reviewing the opinion and will consider appropriate next steps in the ongoing litigation.” Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said in a statement Monday afternoon, but there is no word on whether the Justice Department will seek to appeal the judge’s order. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
