{O/C} {Good evening}
Former President Donald Trump unleashed a reverberating political firestorm after he called for the immediate release of the Mar-a-Lago search warrant.
This after Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed he did approve the search, with the Justice Department now scrambling to unseal the warrant.
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Former President Trump declared his demand with a vengeance. He wrote, "Release the documents now!"
He went on to say his representatives and attorneys fully cooperated during the search, and that Mar-a-Lago was raided without prior notice.
But for the record, a subpoena was issued to the former president's office on June 3rd, requesting classified and government records.
In addition to a meeting to retrieve the documents, FBI and Justice Department officials assessed the storage room at Mar-a-Lago, with security enhanced.
While details of releasing the contentious search warrant remain sketchy, the inventory of the seized items will be publicised for the sake of public interest in a striking move.
{Soundbite}
MERRICK GARLAND, Attorney General:
Just now, the Justice Department has filed a motion in the southern district of Florida to unseal a search warrant and property receipt relating to a court-approved search that the FBI conducted earlier this week.
The former president publicly confirmed that the search that evening, as is his right.
{VO}
But word has it, Trump's lawyers are seeking to appeal the motion.
Then, Garland capitulated to mounting public pressure about his involvement in the raid.
{Soundbite}
First, I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter.
Second, the Department does not take such decision lightly.
{VO}
Still, Garland brushed aside inquiries regarding the solid details, which is why one of Trump's family members accused Garland of muddying the waters.
{Soundbite}
LAURA TRUMP, Donald Trump's Daughter-In-Law:
A lot of Americans were looking for something, anything that they could look to from the Attorney General that would reassure them that this was not a political attack.
{VO}
But when Trump supporters took matters into their own hands, Garland fiercely defended FBI and Department of Justice personnel.
{Soundbite}
I will not stand by silently when their (FBI, DOJ agents') integrity is unfairly attacked.
They protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights.
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