CNN: Special Counsel Investigation Secured Search Warrant for Trump’s Twitter Account
In a newly unsealed court filing, it has been revealed that the special counsel investigation into Donald Trump obtained a search warrant for his Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump. The search was so secretive that Twitter was initially prohibited from informing Trump about the warrant, resulting in a $350,000 fine for the company. The warrant sought “data and records related” to Trump’s account, and eventually, some information was shared with the former president.
The special counsel’s office, currently working on a criminal case against Trump in DC District Court, sought the warrant in January 2023. Twitter eventually produced the records, according to the filing, which is now public in the US Circuit Court of Appeals.
The dispute between Twitter and the special counsel’s office revolved around whether Trump should be informed about the search warrant. The district court concluded that disclosing the warrant to Trump would seriously jeopardize the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the court found reason to believe that the former president would flee from prosecution.
Twitter, now rebranded as “X,” did not object to producing the records but argued that the ban on informing Trump violated the First Amendment and the Stored Communications Act. Over the course of litigation, the non-disclosure order was amended to allow Twitter to notify Trump of the warrant’s existence and contents, with the exception of information about the case agent.
The sealed legal battle between the special counsel’s office and Twitter came to light with the release of the DC Circuit ruling. Prior to this, most information about the case was shrouded in secrecy. The ruling, written by Circuit Judge Florence Pan and joined by Circuit Judges J. Michelle Childs and Nina Pillard, was issued in July.
The ruling revealed that the special counsel’s office faced difficulties when attempting to serve Twitter with the search warrant and nondisclosure order. Prosecutors first tried to serve Twitter through their website for legal requests but found it inoperative. They successfully contacted and served Twitter two days later. However, when prosecutors checked on the status of compliance, Twitter’s counsel claimed to have no knowledge of the warrant.
Twitter eventually asked the DC district court to vacate the nondisclosure order, but the request was denied. The records were turned over on February 9. In March, Twitter appealed to the DC appeals court to reverse the district court’s opinion, and prosecutors amended the order in June to allow for some information to be provided to Trump.
This story has been updated with additional details.
Exclusive: Special Counsel Secures Search Warrant for Donald Trump’s Twitter Account
In a significant development, the Special Counsel investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia has obtained a search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s Twitter account. This exclusive information, obtained from sources close to the investigation, sheds light on the expanding scope of the inquiry and the potential evidence being sought.
The Special Counsel, led by Robert Mueller, has been conducting a thorough investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election. As part of this investigation, Mueller’s team has been scrutinizing the social media activities of key individuals associated with the Trump campaign, including Donald Trump himself.
Twitter, one of the most popular social media platforms, has been a favored communication tool for Donald Trump, both during his presidential campaign and throughout his tenure in the White House. His tweets have often made headlines, sparked controversies, and even influenced policy decisions. It is therefore not surprising that the Special Counsel has sought access to this valuable source of information.
The search warrant for Trump’s Twitter account indicates that Mueller’s team has reason to believe that potentially relevant evidence may be found within the former president’s tweets. This could include communications with individuals connected to Russia, discussions about campaign strategies, or any other information that could shed light on the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.
Obtaining a search warrant for a social media account is a significant step in any investigation. It requires a showing of probable cause to a judge, who must be convinced that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the account contains evidence of a crime. The fact that the Special Counsel has secured such a warrant for Donald Trump’s Twitter account underscores the seriousness of the investigation and the potential significance of the information being sought.
It is important to note that the issuance of a search warrant does not imply guilt or wrongdoing on the part of Donald Trump. Rather, it signifies that the investigation has reached a point where access to his Twitter account is deemed necessary to gather evidence and further the inquiry. This is a standard procedure in criminal investigations, aimed at ensuring a thorough and impartial examination of all available evidence.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. Donald Trump’s Twitter account has been a central platform for his communication with the American public, and its contents have often been subject to intense scrutiny. The search warrant for his account suggests that Mueller’s team believes there may be valuable information hidden within the tweets, which could potentially alter the course of the investigation.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial to remember that the Special Counsel’s mandate is to uncover the truth and determine whether any laws were violated. The search warrant for Donald Trump’s Twitter account is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. It remains to be seen what other evidence will be uncovered and how it will impact the overall investigation.
In the coming weeks and months, the American public will undoubtedly be closely following the developments in this high-profile investigation. The search warrant for Donald Trump’s Twitter account marks a significant milestone in the ongoing inquiry, highlighting the determination of the Special Counsel to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice and the truth.
