The DOJ has redacted the reasons for its redactions in the Trump affidavit

published 26 August 2022

The Justice Department on Friday released a redacted version of both the affidavit and memo related to the recent FBI raid on former President Donald Trump's Florida mansion.

Quite comically, however, the DOJ actually redacted portions of the documents in which it is explaining the rationale behind the redactions. As a result ... many of the pages didn't reveal much.

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But you might be wondering ... what's all the added secrecy for, anyway? Well, it's first important to note how highly unusual it is for the Justice Department to release any part of an affidavit to the public, lest the disclosure affect an ongoing investigation or trial. But secondly, reports The New York Times, the DOJ had, under judge's orders, proposed the redactions "in an effort to shield witnesses" in the investigation "from intimidation or retribution." The unreleased portions also protect the identity of law enforcement officials and other pieces of the case itself, notes The Associated Press.

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Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.

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