Judge orders the release of FBI affidavit showing the basis of its unprecedented search of Mar-a-Lago

• The Mar-a-Lago search warrant affidavit was ordered released by a federal judge.

• It is uncommon for an affidavit to be released before charges are filed.

• The public's interest in the matter made Judge Reinhart inclined to unseal parts of the affidavit.

The FBI affidavit that led to the warrant to search the Mar-a-Lago club and private residence of former President Donald Trump was blacked out. The Justice Department was given a day to file the redacted affidavit.

The parts of the affidavit that could be revealed were kept under seal.

• The names of witnesses and law enforcement personnel.

• The scope and strategy of the investigation into Trump's handling of documents.

• There are sources and methods.

• Information about the grand jury.

The Justice Department's justification for searching the former president's South Florida home is set to be made public.

After saying last week that he was inclined to unseal parts of the affidavit, the ruling came on Thursday.

Jay Bratt, a counterintelligence official at the DOJ, argued last week that the affidavit should be kept out of the public eye because the investigation is still in its early stages. He said there was a concern for the safety of witnesses involved in the investigation and that the document's release could chill other witnesses who may come forward and cooperate with prosecutors.

The DOJ's investigation into Trump's handling of government documents is still in its early stages and no charges have been filed yet.

David Weinstein is a former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of Florida.

The high profile nature of the case and heightened public interest in the Mar-a-Lago search may have swayed the decision to release a partial release of the affidavit.

After searching Mar-a-Lago, the FBI recovered 26 boxes of official government documents and 11 sets of classified records.

The Espionage Act is one of three federal laws that the Justice Department is investigating if Trump broke when he moved records from the White House to Mar-a-Lago.

After multiple media outlets and transparency organizations asked for all documents and records related to the Mar-a-Lago raid to be released to the public, a hearing was held.

The public wants to understand and accept the results. A lawyer for the media organizations said that it was good for the government and the court. You can't rely on what you can't see.

The story is getting better. Don't forget to check back for the latest news.

Business Insider has an article on it.