Search Warrant Executed on Trump's Twitter Account by Special Counsel

Special Counsel Obtains Search Warrant for Trump's Twitter Account

According to recently unsealed court documents, Special Counsel Jack Smith obtained a search warrant for former President Donald Trump's Twitter account in January 2023.

Trump Responds on Truth Social

Trump responded to the news on Truth Social, accusing the Biden administration's Department of Justice of secretly attacking his account and infringing on his civil rights. He questioned the existence of the First Amendment and suggested that Smith may have instructed others to destroy evidence. Trump described the situation as "dark days in America."

Criminal Investigation Launched Against Trump

Special Counsel Jack Smith has launched a criminal investigation against former President Trump for alleged interference with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election.

Search Warrant Directed at Twitter

Smith has obtained a warrant directed at Twitter (now known as X) to produce data and records related to the Twitter account "@realDonaldTrump".

District Court Grants Warrant to Search Trump's Twitter Account

A district court has granted a warrant to search former President Trump's Twitter account for evidence of criminal offenses. The court ruled that disclosing the warrant to Trump would jeopardize the ongoing investigation by potentially allowing him to destroy evidence or notify others involved.

Nondisclosure Order Prevents Twitter from Informing Trump

The Justice Department obtained a nondisclosure order that prevented Twitter from informing former President Trump about the warrant. The purpose of the order was to avoid tipping off Trump about the existence of the warrant. A three-judge panel, including judges appointed by President Biden and former President Obama, ruled on this matter.

Twitter Loses Appeal Against Warrant

Twitter has lost an appeal against a warrant that required the company to provide user data related to the January 6 investigation. The judges ruled that Twitter was free to raise general concerns about warrants or nondisclosure orders, but ultimately the company complied with the warrant after facing a $350,000 sanction for resisting.

Twitter Argues for Warrant Block

Twitter has argued that a federal judge should have blocked a warrant related to former President Donald Trump until an appeal was resolved. The warrant is connected to a federal jury indictment that charged Trump with multiple felony charges related to the 2020 presidential election. The charges include Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding, An Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding, and Conspiracy Against Rights.