In the weeks leading up to the FBI's August 8 search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home, Attorney General Garland debated whether or not to sign off on the warrant.
Sources tell the WSJ that Garland personally approved the warrant application after meeting with Justice Department and FBI officials.
Jamie Gorelick, a former deputy attorney general, told the WSJ that Garland understands the critical role an attorney general plays.
Gorelick told the WSJ that he appreciated the context in which this was happening. I don't think he considers politics at all, but I think he is aware of the seriousness of actions against a former president.
11 sets of classified documents were seized by the FBI after they searched Trump's office in Palm Beach, Florida.
Garland defended the FBI and DOJ during an August 11 press conference after GOP party leaders attacked them.
Garland told reporters that he wouldn't stand by silently when their integrity was attacked.
Following Trump's public confirmation of the search, Garland decided to unseal the warrant he signed.
The national uproar over the search led to Trump asking Garland how he could reduce the heat.
On Monday, the Department of Justice requested that the search warrant affidavit remain sealed, saying that it would cause significant and irreparable damage to an ongoing investigation.
The DOJ didn't reply immediately.
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