Public controversy over Mar-a-Lago classified-documents case
Coverage of the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, the federal indictment over alleged retention of national-defense information and obstruction, and Judge Cannon's dismissal over the special counsel's appointment. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- FBI searches Mar-a-Lago estate - The BBC and The Guardian reported that on Aug. 8, 2022 FBI agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in a probe over government and classified records taken after he left the White House. Trump called the search a raid. Donald Trump says FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago Florida home
- Federal indictment on documents and obstruction - Reuters and the BBC reported that in June 2023 a federal grand jury indicted Trump on charges including willful retention of national-defense information and obstruction related to classified records at Mar-a-Lago. He pleaded not guilty. Trump faces US criminal charges for mishandling documents, obstruction
- Judge Cannon dismisses classified-documents case - The BBC and Associated Press reported that on July 15, 2024 Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified-documents case, holding that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment violated the Appointments Clause. Smith's office said the Justice Department authorized an appeal. Trump classified documents case dismissed by Florida judge