Trump legal team's claim that Mar-a-Lago search warrant was unlawful slammed as 'conspiracy theory'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Attorneys for Donald Trump argued that there was no probable cause for the search of his Mar-a-Lago property in August 2022 by federal agents, reported Fox News.
Appearing before Judge Aileen Cannon in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, they insisted that the act was in violation of the former President's constitutional rights. However, their stance was brushed off by the prosecution as a mere "conspiracy theory."
Trump lawyers claim Mar-a-Lago search done without probable cause
Judge Cannon held a hearing related to Trump's 'Motion for Relief relating to the Mar-a-Lago Raid and Unlawful Piercing of Attorney-Client Privilege', where defense attorney Emil Bove argued that the search was impermissibly large and that the federal government needed to establish probable cause for a search of the property in its entirety.
While Cannon noted that paperwork could have been placed anywhere, Bove insisted that the FBI agents executing the search were in no position to decide unilaterally where to search and what was part of Trump's personal paperwork and what was not.
Federal prosecutor David Harbach argued for Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump after his months-long classified records investigation.
He argued that the defense fell "woefully" short of meeting the proof of burden, whereby they were required to make a "substantial showing" to prove false statements intentionally or a reckless disregard for the truth in the documentation provided to the magistrate judge while obtaining the initial search warrant.
Trump's lawyer claimed that FBI officials were divided on deciding on whether to ask for consent from Trump prior to the search, something that Harbach dismissed as a "conspiracy theory."
Harbach claimed that Trump had access to all the rooms that were searched and that the agents had carried out their duties "professionally and expeditiously," without rummaging through the property. He said that the agents were perfectly authorized to seize boxes, which may have carried personal records as well, and that the firearms that they carried were just "part of protocol."
Internet blasts Trump after his lawyer's about claims Mar-a-Lago search
Social media users slammed Bove's arguments as the following tweets demonstrate.
"Witnesses confirming he kept classified documents and lied about returning everything isn't probable cause?" inquired a user.
Witnesses confirming he kept classified documents and lied about returning everything isn't probable cause?
— Oh, no! (┛ಠ_ಠ)┛彡┻━┻ 𓅃 (@OhNoDano) June 25, 2024
"There was almost too much probable cause in this case. He refused to turn over the docs for over a year!" exclaimed another.
There was almost too much probable cause in this case. He refused to turn over the docs for over a year!
— Where's Waldo Emerson? (@Richard89220241) June 25, 2024
"Trump’s lawyers are of course lying," stated a third.
"He's going to lose but that isn't the purpose. The purpose is to delay the trial until after the election," commented a fourth user.
He's going to lose but that isn't the purpose. The purpose is to delay the trial until after the election.
— 9h057 👻 (@099h057) June 25, 2024
"Desperate and predictable from Trump," jibed a fifth.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
