Trump Loses Special Master Review in Mar-a-Lago Files Case
- Florida federal judge lacked jurisdiction, 11th Circuit rules
- Trump may petition full court, seek Supreme Court intervention
Donald Trump
Photographer: Olivier Douliery/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of White House documents got a major boost Thursday, as a federal appeals court ruled a judge was wrong to interfere with the probe by appointing a special master to review material seized from the former president’s Mar-a-Lago home.
The decision marks the latest setback for Trump in a months-long legal fight that government lawyers say has stymied their work. Prosecutors are exploring whether Trump or anyone else mishandled government records -- including material classified at the highest level of secrecy -- or engaged in obstruction.