FBI returns seized documents to Trump after years-long legal battle

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) – The FBI has returned boxes of documents to US President Donald Trump that were seized during the controversial 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago estate, the White House confirmed on Friday, according to US media.

NBC News reported Saturday that staff were seen loading approximately 15 boxes onto the rear of Air Force One as part of the return process.

While the contents of the boxes remain unclear, the return follows years of legal battles over Trump’s handling of classified materials after leaving office.

Trump celebrated the return in a post on Truth Social, stating:

"The Department of Justice has just returned the boxes that Deranged Jack Smith made such a big deal about. They are being brought down to Florida and will someday be part of the Trump Presidential Library. Justice finally won out. I did absolutely nothing wrong. This was merely an attack on a political opponent that, obviously, did not work well. Justice in our country will now be restored."

White House communications director Steven Cheung described the return as a step toward rectifying what he called "unlawful and illegal raids."

"We are taking possession of the boxes today and loading them onto Air Force One," Cheung said.

Alina Habba, a counselor to the president, also weighed in during the flight. Habba, seen carrying some of the boxes herself, said, "These are President Trump's things. These are his items, and they needed to be returned to him."

She further criticized the investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, calling it a "hoax" and asserting that Trump is now in the White House, not Smith.

The case surrounding Trump’s classified documents had been fraught with legal complexities. In 2023, Trump was charged with willfully retaining national defense information, obstructing justice, and making false statements.

However, the Justice Department dropped its case after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, citing its longstanding policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. Smith, who had led the investigation, resigned earlier this year.

Trump's co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, also had charges against them dropped last month as part of the termination of the prosecution.