FBI returns property seized from Trump during Mar-a-Lago raids

The FBI has returned to President Trump the property it seized during the raid of Mar-a-Lago when law enforcement stormed his residence as part of its investigation into whether he mishandled classified documents.

“We are taking possession of the boxes today and loading them onto Air Force Once,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said.

Alina Habba, a counselor to Mr. Trump, said she personally put the boxes on Air Force One.

“Justice has been and will continue to be restored in this country under President Trump. Truth and Justice always win in the end. God Bless America,” she said.

The move comes just days after newly-minted FBI Director Kash Patel, who was handpicked by Mr. Trump, took over the bureau.

A detailed list of property seized during the August 2022 raid said 33 boxes or containers were seized by the FBI as it executed the search warrant to look for classified documents.

Receipts of collected items listed multiple government documents and photographs with classified markings — including secret and top secret — and multiple empty folders, also with classified markings.

The sensitive documents and government property were listed in a way to indicate that they were mixed with personal items like magazines, newspapers, gifts and articles of clothing.

“Evidence of commingling personal effects with documents bearing classification markings is relevant evidence of the statutory offenses under investigation,” Justice Department prosecutors wrote in a 2022 court filing.

At the time Mr. Trump condemned the raid as “not necessary or appropriate.”

It’s not clear if Mr. Trump is also receiving the documents back, or just the personal items.

Attorney General Merrick Garland had appointed special counsel Jack Smith to probe whether Mr. Trump mishandled any classified documents. The case was dismissed last year by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.

Judge Cannon concluded that Mr. Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional while dismissing the charges.

Mr. Smith had appealed the dismissal, but dropped the appeal after Mr. Trump won the 2024 election. Justice Department guidelines prohibit criminal charges against sitting presidents. In January, Mr. Smith, who has since resigned from the Justice Department, dropped the charges against Mr. Trump’s former co-defendants.