US Justice Department appeals judge's special master ruling in Trump Mar-a-Lago case


Patrick deHahn
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The US Department of Justice on Thursday said it was appealing a federal judge's decision regarding the ongoing investigation into classified documents found at former president Donald Trump's Florida home.

The agency asked Judge Aileen Cannon for a stay on some parts of her order, issued on Monday, which allowed for a special master to be assigned to the case and froze the US government's review of obtained documents.

The notice of appeal asks Ms Cannon to allow the continued use of documents marked classified that were discovered during an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

It argues the use of the documents is lawful due to a federal court's approval of the agency's search warrant.

“A stay would simply allow the government to continue to review and use the same records — which, again, indisputably belong to the government, not [Mr Trump] — in its ongoing criminal investigation as well,” the appeal read.

It also asked that the judge not to force “the government to disclose those classified records to a special master for review”.

There were hundreds of government documents found at Mr Trump's residence, including material marked “top secret”, which requires some of the highest levels of security clearance to view or obtain.

Dozens of folders with “classified” labels were also found to be empty.

A Washington Post report this week said one of the documents found included sensitive information on a foreign country's nuclear readiness.

The FBI search on August 8 was done as part of a federal investigation into whether the former president and his team violated three federal laws in the mishandling of government documents taken from the White House after his presidency concluded.

In its filing, the Justice Department wrote that Mr Trump and his team cannot argue “he has any right to have those government records returned to him”.

It said that handing the documents over to a special master or returning them to Mr Trump's team may pose a risk to the country.

The agency also said handing classified documents over to a third party would be a risk as they involve material with a high level of significance for national security.

The Justice Department said that it will give Ms Cannon until September 15 to grant a stay on these measures or it will file a formal appeal with the 11th Circuit of Appeals.

An appeal in the Circuit of Appeals may prove difficult, as six of the 11 judges there were appointed by Mr Trump.

Ms Cannon was also appointed by Mr Trump when he was president.

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
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Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.

The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Updated: June 20, 2023, 11:51 AM`