Judge Aileen Cannon convened a hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida, inviting counsel for former President Donald Trump and officials from the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss a filing tied to the investigation into classified materials recovered during the FBI search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The central issue is whether an independent expert should oversee parts of the search and review process as the case advances in federal court.
Trump’s team has requested a more detailed inventory of seized items and a return of any materials not covered by the court order. The question of who authorized the registration and seizure remains a point of contention, with the defense seeking greater transparency about the chain of custody and the exact scope of what was collected at Mar-a-Lago.
The judge indicated a willingness to appoint an independent expert to supervise aspects of the Mar-a-Lago search. Cannon appeared to prefer listening to both sides carefully before rendering a decision, underscoring the importance of ensuring due process while addressing national security concerns. The hearing is being held as the case moves through federal procedural stages, with preliminary matters dominating early discussions.
The West Palm Beach session comes on the heels of a DOJ notification to the court about potential obstruction inquiries related to the handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. Law enforcement officials described the discovery of documents in multiple boxes and noted that some materials appeared to be marked as classified. The government has argued that these items may not have been properly stored or returned, despite requests from authorities to do so.
According to filings from the DOJ, more than 100 classified documents were found in connection with the search. The defense contends that the Trump legal team cooperated with investigators, but questions persist about whether all relevant materials were turned over to authorities in a timely manner. A significant portion of the documents, including exhibits, was summarized in a Tuesday night submission to Judge Cannon, outlining the timeline of how materials were handled since Trump left office in January 2021.
The government maintains that the documents were not shielded by executive privilege, arguing instead that they should have been preserved in line with the National Archives and Records Administration requirements. A photo accompanying the briefing showed documents on the ground, with some items bearing markings identifying them as classified. The visual evidence has been used to illustrate the gravity of the material recovered during the search.
Trump has issued responses to the Justice Department’s briefing on his Truth Social platform, posting messages that criticized the FBI and suggested that materials were mishandled during the operation. In one post he asserted that the FBI may have distributed documents on the ground during the raid, expressing doubt that any wrongdoing occurred on his side while hinting at possible mismanagement by investigators.
The ongoing criminal investigation began earlier this year after National Archives staff identified classified materials among 15 boxes believed to be part of the Mar-a-Lago collection. After a period of scrutiny, the Trump team ultimately handed over the materials that were requested. The inquiry has since expanded to examine possible obstruction and offenses related to the Espionage Act, prompting prosecutors to pursue a comprehensive review of the records and the investigation’s trajectory.
Officials from the Justice Department have cautioned that there is no immediate justification for bypassing the appointment of an independent expert, given that a limited set of documents may fall under attorney-client privilege. The process includes ongoing efforts to resolve privilege disputes and determine the appropriate handling of sensitive materials. The defense team has signaled that additional participants may join the hearing, including former Florida attorney general Christopher M. Kise, who has aligned with Trump’s legal team.
The courtroom proceedings in West Palm Beach are shaping up as a pivotal moment in the Mar-a-Lago matter, with many moving parts and fast-evolving developments. The resolution of requests for a detailed receipt and for the independent oversight will likely influence the next steps in the broader legal strategy, as both sides prepare for further court arguments and potential rulings.