Fmr. DOJ Counter Intel Chief: ‘Public Interest’ In Mar-a-Lago Affidavit ‘Could Not Be Higher’

Former Chief of Counterintelligence at the Justice Department’s National Security Division David Laufman, NBC White House Correspondent Carol Lee, and NBC Justice and Intelligence Correspondent Ken Dilanian join Andrea Mitchell with their reactions to magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart signaling he is inclined unseal redacted parts of the FBI’s Mar-a-Lago search warrant affidavit. Laufman says it’s “somewhat surprising,” since Reinhart is a former prosecutor who “knows the kinds of sensitive information” that goes into affidavits and “how rare, if ever, a judge would release a search warrant affidavit while the investigation is still pending.” But, as a judge now, Reinhart “has to balance competing interests here, and the public interest in a case like this could not be higher.” 

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Fmr. DOJ Counter Intel Chief: ‘Public Interest’ In Mar-a-Lago Affidavit ‘Could Not Be Higher’

[niclewis]

" In my Administration, I'm going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one is above the Law"

- Donald Trump Aug 2016

[gangigirl]

It's amazing how slow and complex the legal system is for the rich and powerful... no matter how big the crimes.

[nancydouglas]

I hope that the judge upholds the DOJ interest. We need to protect the investigation and the witnesses.

[stoortyb]

Isn't it illegal in the US to witness tamper or intimidation?? He's clearly done that several times and his lawyer openly said so in OAN.

[TimeSurfer]

Never forget, we are talking about a "man" who thinks the entire world is stupid enough to be fooled by the Spray Paint.
For all too many, he isn't wrong.

[edupaeschannel]

This Mar a Lago is really a very tacky place too 😂 National secret documents in there is truly a scene out of a mafia movie show!

[emart]

The GOP wants to know who the mole is.

[thebluearrow]

Whoever ratted out Trump to the FBI, I will shake your hand and buy you a beer when this is all over.

[vperez]

I’m tired of this back and forth legal and civil issue. The clown is guilty just need to focus and prove it. Done deal

[tragicrhythm]

The non-trump portion of the public is aware it's not the norm nor is it in the interest of investigations to disclose affidavits redacted or not.

[karenmoore]

The lies that come out of trumps mouth is ludicrous!

[vicepresidentqfkjr]

So do the people who believe the FBI acted irresponsibly feel that we shouldn't enforce the laws pertaining to classified information? Or do they just believe Trump shouldn't be bound by the law?
Because Trump has already admitted to having the classified documents so there is no "didn't to it" option

[DavidJ]

In order to protect the identities of any confidential informants, Melania's name will definitely have to be redacted from the affidavit. 🤣

[randyscrafts]

That brotherhood fist pump Trump does is embarrassing. I'm sure there's a message to it but Trump is such a scatterbrain it's impossible to know what message?

[sydneyism]

To me any judge deciding whether to unseal the affidavit is saying, "I'm afraid of Dump and his supporters."

[j.dunlop]

Sabotaging a criminal case, so that the criminal can escape justice? (Special treatment?)

[anikaparker]

Public interest? Where is the public outcry for the affidavit to be unsealed?

What the public wants to know is why did Trump have classified documents at Mar a Lago?

[pamelaramsey]

The judge also knows about saying yes, and….redactions. Black page after page after page, yes we will appeal, ok appeal, more negotiations it could be months

[backbeat]

Big mistake if it's released. Follow what has always been done legal protocol

[daowest]

Justice is more in the interest of the public than gossip. Let the DOJ do its job before meddling in it.