An appeals court on Thursday reversed the appointment of an independent arbitrator for former President Donald Trump. That clears the way for the US Justice Department to investigate documents seized during the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in August.
The decision is a major setback for Trump. Two of the three judges of the competent appellate court in Atlanta, Georgia, second The New York Times appointed by Trump himself. It is unclear whether the former president will appeal their decision.
The legal battle erupted from the raid in Florida in early August. The FBI has found more than 11,000 government documents.
The arbitrator was empowered to withhold documents found by the government due to, for example, so-called executive privilege. Conservative judge Aileen Cannon was nominated by Trump himself shortly before he resigned. She granted Trump’s request for independent arbitration.
The criminal investigation into Trump includes whether confidential documents were withheld and whether attempts were made to thwart a federal investigation.
