An American judge accepted on Monday that an independent expert will review official documents recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence. The move underscores the ongoing effort to assess the provenance and handling of materials tied to the former administration, while allowing continued focus on integrity within federal investigations.
Magistrate Aileen Cannon designated the currently appointed expert from the Southern District of Florida to oversee the review of seized assets. The role includes evaluating claims for the return of items, advising on process steps, and managing the concession claims tied to the seizures.
The case centers on the lawsuit Trump filed against the U.S. Department of Justice over the FBI search of a Palm Beach residence in August. The search was conducted to locate official documents believed to have been retained after leaving the White House.
Trump, whose legal team had petitioned for the appointment of a “special master,” issued a statement after the court’s ruling. In it, he criticized the investigation and asserted that exterior influences were pressuring federal law enforcement agencies.
He argued that without impartial oversight, reason, and courage, the country could drift away from its democratic norms and risk a weakened standing on the global stage.
Trump’s defense team contended at a hearing last Thursday that appointing an independent reviewer would restore public confidence in the process and ensure a fair consideration of documents held at the Palm Beach estate. They sought a master who would delimit the scope to items protected by attorney-client privilege and separate those from the broader investigative process, while also supervising the inventory of seized materials.
In contrast, Department of Justice attorneys argued that such an appointment was unnecessary and could slow the investigation, potentially delaying essential proceedings.
The FBI’s Mar-a-Lago search reportedly uncovered a range of documents labeled as classified, including some described in filings as having been improperly retained after the transition from office. The inventory released in federal records indicated a significant number of folders marked as classified, with some labeled for personnel or military assistant use.
The court’s ruling provides that the Justice Department cannot proceed with analyzing or using the seized materials within the investigation until the independent expert completes the review, or a new court order directs otherwise. Nonetheless, the Director of National Intelligence may continue to assess risks to national security related to the handling and location of sensitive materials, including potential implications for oversight and safeguarding of government secrets.