Warner calls for DOJ's Trump records investigation to 'proceed without interference'

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Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) said the Justice Department’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified records must move forward unimpeded, calling for a "damage assessment" of whether the former president's conduct posed a national security threat.

The Virginia Democrat’s remarks come shortly after the redacted affidavit behind the FBI’s search and seizure of documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and resort was released to the public on Friday, revealing that findings pertaining to “national defense information” were obtained during the raid. According to the affidavit, federal investigators discovered 184 unique documents with classification markings, including 25 of them that were labeled “ TOP SECRET” intermixed with other records.

REDACTED AFFIDAVIT JUSTIFYING FBI’S TRUMP MAR-A-LAGO RAID IS RELEASED

“It appears, based on the affidavit unsealed this morning, that among the improperly handled documents at Mar-a-Lago were some of our most sensitive intelligence — which is one reason the Senate Intelligence Committee has requested, on a bipartisan basis, a damage assessment of any national security threat posed by the mishandling of this information,” Warner said in a statement. “The Department of Justice investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference.”

Trump allies responded to the affidavit's release by arguing it was too heavily redacted and failed to provide new information.

“So much for transparency,” Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) tweeted.

“.@TheJusticeDept, this is unacceptable. The American public deserves more transparency,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said.

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In a string of posts, the Twitter account for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee took aim at the affidavit.

“Clears things up!” the account tweeted, sharing a screenshot of a heavily redacted paragraph.

But some Democrats argued that the developments are concerning, taking a swing at Republicans who defend the argument that Trump declassified the documents.

“If the U.S. national security secrets at Mar-a-Lago were classified, then Trump broke the law. If they were magically declassified, then not only does Trump get to see them, but so do you. And the media. And the Russians. It is insane that MAGA Republicans make this argument,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) tweeted.

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Tags: Justice Department, News, Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump, Washington D.C., Mark Warner

Original Author: Juliegrace Brufke

Original Location: Warner calls for DOJ's Trump records investigation to 'proceed without interference'