Jen Psaki says Democrats ‘love to be opposed’ to Donald Trump ahead of midterms
A Florida judge has appointed Donald Trump’s nominee as special master in the FBI investigation into top secret papers seized by agents from his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Judge Raymond Dearie will now review materials seized during the raid of the former president’s estate in August after Mr Trump successfully demanded one be appointed.
US district judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday also rejected the justice department’s request to resume its criminal investigation into the seized classified documents. Judge Cannon said that she was not willing to accept the government’s assertions that nearly 100 documents taken from Mr Trump’s estate were classified.
“The court does not find it appropriate to accept the government’s conclusions on these important and disputed issues without further review by a neutral third party in an expedited and orderly fashion,” the judge said in the ruling.
Earlier, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows reportedly complied with a Justice Department subpoena tied to the investigation into the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot. He is the most senior member of the Trump administration to comply which such an order.
Former president helps Melania sell baubles
Taking a break from considering multiple investigations against him on Thursday, Donald Trump issued a rare flirtatious message to followers on Truth Social, his own social media network, who were told about Melania Trump’s “beautiful” Christmas ornaments.
The former first lady received the ringing endorsement after she announced a new range of digital festive ornaments and corresponding decorations – some of the proceeds from which will go to charity.
“Really beautiful (the ornaments, I mean!),” wrote Mr Trump, along with a picture of his wife.
Trump makes flirty comment about Melania’s Christmas baubles
Former first lady continues NFT promotion with festive series
Gino Spocchia16 September 2022 11:39
Trump invited to Washington DC event honouring Queen
Although not attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral with Joe Biden on Monday, Donald Trump has reportedly been invited to a memorial service in Washington DC next week to remember the late British monarch.
A British embassy invitation to the event “a Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” was sent to Mr Trump in recent days, according to The Telegraph.
Other living ex-presidents, including Barrack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and their spouses, were also sent out on Thursday by the British embassy. The service will take place at Washington’s National Cathedral on Wednesday next week.
Sravasti Dasgupta reports:
Trump invited to US service for Queen Elizabeth II after being snubbed from funeral
It is not yet clear whether former president will attend the memorial service
Gino Spocchia16 September 2022 10:45
Judge open to Trump privilege claims
Writing in an order on Thursday, US District judge Aileen Cannon said she was open to the possibility that the former president could use executive privilege as a defense against some records seized by FBI agents from Mar-a-Lago last month, the Associated Press reported.
Although widely disputed by legal experts and the current US president, the Trump appointed judge also noted ongoing disagreements between Trump lawyers and Justice Department officials about the “proper designation of the seized materials”, which were marked classified.
While blocking a Justice Department request to continue reviewing the classified material, the judge appointed a special master at the request of Mr Trump to review the Mar-a-Lago material “neutrally”.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the former president’s lawyers made clear on Thursday that they were satisfied with the appointment. That decision is expected to be appealed.
Gino…