She did express some concern, however, about reports that suggest Trump was storing sensitive information at Mar-a-Lago about nuclear weapons.
“I think what is important to know now is the seriousness of what these documents were alleged to be about…Our concern is always to protect and defend,” Pelosi said.
She did not answer whether there will be a Congressional committee or investigation convened to look into the material Trump was storing.
—Candy Woodall
Citing anonymous sources, the New York Times reported that investigators were concerned about Trump having material from “special access programs,” which the Times described as a designation saved for sensitive operations carried out by the United States abroad or closely held technologies and capabilities.
Trump’s purported possession of such material has raised concern among government officials that the information could be vulnerable to acquisition efforts by foreign adversaries, the Times reported.
Also citing anonymous sources, The Washington Post reported that classified documents relating to nuclear weapons were among the items sought by federal agents.
“We love our law enforcement officers. We would protect and defend them to thank them for their service, but when we have a brewing matter of distrust, we have to get to the bottom of it and fix it,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a former FBI agent, said of the search.
Though the committee Republicans said they supported rank-and-file members of the FBI and Justice Department, several questioned whether the agencies’ leadership authorized the search for political reasons. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the No. 3 House Republican, claimed without evidence that the raid was the Biden administration’s attempt to act against his political opponent.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, ranking member of the committee, said that he and other committee members are “certainly” concerned about unsecured classified information possibly being in a storage area, but added that the documents are just one piece of the puzzle.
“Donald Trump has more classified information in his head than he does in his desk," Turner said.
-- Candy Woodall, Ella Lee
Previously:GOP, long the law and order party, slams FBI, Justice Department over search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago
More:GOP Rep. Liz Cheney criticizes Republicans 'attacking the integrity of the FBI'
‘#BillionDollarLawyer’ joins Trump legal team in Georgia
Drew Findling, a former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and counselor to rap artists and professional athletes, will now advise a former president, along with attorneys Jennifer Little and Dwight Thomas.
“We are committed to fighting this misuse of the law and taxpayer resources,” Findling’s firm said in a statement. “The team is confident that there have been no violations of Georgia law. The focus on President Trump may be newsworthy, but this investigation is wholly misdirected and politically driven.”
Findling has long been a prominent figure on the Atlanta legal scene who not only maintains a distinguished client list but a colorful Twitter account that carries the hashtag #BillionDollarLawyer.
-- Kevin Johnson
Trump under scrutiny:Mar-a-Lago document inquiry is one of many investigations Trump faces
When will we see the Trump search documents?
Lawyers, journalists, government officials and political professionals across the world are busy refreshing websites Friday while waiting to see records from the search of Donald Trump's home.
Only one thing unites them: No one has any idea when the search warrant and related documents will actually surface.
Could be Friday; could be next week.
"On or before 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 12, 2022, the United States shall file a certificate of conferral advising whether former President Trump opposes the Government's motion to unseal."
Reinhart then has to decide when and how to order release of the documents – and no one is saying how that might play out.
For one thing, the Justice Department will likely redact details they say are related to national security, the trigger for the search in the first place.
In the meantime: Keep refreshing.
-- David Jackson
Who is he?:Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart facing firestorm for signing Mar-a-Lago search warrant
Cincinnati FBI breach suspect may have posted on Trump's Truth Social during incident
The man, who was shot and killed after a standoff that lasted much of the day, was identified to the Associated Press and others as Ricky Shiffer. A USA TODAY review of online postings by an account in that name shows the account had recently posted angry reactions to news of the FBI raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida home. The same account posted during or just after the incursion at the FBI, appearing to describe the man's efforts.
"Well, I thought I had a way through bullet proof glass, and I didn't. If you don't hear from me, it is true I tried attacking the F.B.I., and it'll mean either I was taken off the internet, the F.B.I. got me, or they sent the regular cops while"
The post apparently ended mid-sentence. Truth Social deleted the profile for "@rickywshifferjr" Thursday afternoon, shortly after media reports began identifying Shiffer.
-- Will Carless
Read the whole story here:Suspect in Cincinnati FBI breach may have posted on Trump's Truth Social during incident
House Republicans on intelligence committee probe Mar-a-Lago search
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the lead Republican on the committee, said Thursday he was “unaware of any actual or alleged national security threat posed by any information, data or documents in the possession of former President Trump.”
A report from the Washington Post Thursday night said, “Classified documents relating to nuclear weapons were among the items FBI agents sought” at Mar-a-Lago.
That was of concern to Rep. Val Demmings, D-Fla., one of the majority members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
“The Justice Department should continue to act with total independence as it works to safeguard classified national security secrets,” she said Thursday night.
-- Candy Woodall
Unprecedented:Donald Trump's scandals are unique in history. Here's how.
Palm Beach Post asking court to unseal 'entire' Mar-a-Lago search warrant
In the motion filed late Thursday, the Post joined other news organizations that claim the release of all documents connected to the warrant is needed to rein in wild speculation about why the nation’s top law enforcement agency took the unprecedented step of asking to search the home of a former president. The request to unseal the warrant could keep key parts of it off-limits to the public, said attorney Martin Reeder, who is representing the Post.
“The scope of all the warrant materials is broader than what the government is addressing,” Reeder said. “The government is only speaking to some of these documents.”
The Palm Beach Post is part of the USA TODAY network.
Republican response:GOP, long the law and order party, slams FBI, Justice Department over search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago
More:GOP Rep. Liz Cheney criticizes Republicans 'attacking the integrity of the FBI'
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