Anderson Cooper 360

Former President Trump’s legal team asked a federal judge to appoint a “special master”—a third party attorney— to go through evidence that was found in the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago and make sure any of his private documents are returned. The Justice Department says the search warrant was properly authorized and they believe the evidence it collected at Mar-a-Lago will support its criminal investigation into the mishandling of federal records. Former federal judge Nancy Gertner tells Anderson Cooper how unusual a request for a special master is, especially when two weeks have gone by.

Plus, drought-parched Dallas got a summer’s worth of rain in just one day forcing dozens to be rescued. CNN Senior National Correspondent Ed Lavandera gives AC360 an update from Texas.

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White House officials are telling CNN they have “deep concern” about the documents found at former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Some documents were found in a basement-level storage facility at Trump’s Florida home and officials worry the information they contain could put the sources and methods of the U.S. intelligence community at risk. Tom Blanton is the director at the National Security Archive at George Washington University. He joins AC360 to discuss how dangerous it was to have these documents in a storeroom without a padlock on it.

Plus, with midterm elections around the corner, vulnerable Republicans are being told to not be distracted by the former President while on the campaign trail with one saying “I don’t say his name, ever.” CNN Senior Political Commentator David Axelrod tells Anderson Cooper whether he thinks that strategy will work for these candidates in November. 

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A judge unsealed several court documents related to the FBI’s search of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and set in motion the possible public release of a heavily redacted version of the affidavit. Former federal judge Nancy Gertner joins AC360 to discuss the judge’s decision and says it’s “very surprising.”

Plus, the former President and his allies have claimed there was a “standing order” to declassify documents he took from the Oval Office to the White House residence but CNN spoke to 18 former Trump administration officials who said they never heard of that policy. One senior administration official called it “bullsh*t.” Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton was one of the 18 officials CNN spoke with. He explains to Anderson Cooper if the “standing order” existed, it’d make “no sense whatsoever.” 

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CNN has learned that former President Trump is considering releasing the surveillance video of the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago residence. One person close to Trump said it’s not a matter of if the former President releases the video but a matter of when. Others in his inner circle have warned of potential risks. Former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe tells Anderson Cooper how he thinks the FBI would react if the footage is released.

Plus, Rudy Giuliani testified in front of a Fulton County grand jury just days after prosecutors told him he was a target in their Georgia 2020 presidential election investigation. Elliot Williams is a former federal prosecutor and a former deputy assistant attorney general. He joins AC360 to discuss what kind of charges prosecutors could be considering.

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Aides of Republican Rep. Liz Cheney say she intends to make the case that she is at “the beginning of the battle” against former President Trump when she speaks to her supporters tonight. The aides also say she’s planning to call on both parties to join her fight to protect democracy and the rule of law in America. Cheney is facing Trump-backed attorney Harriet Hageman and three other candidates in the GOP primary for Wyoming’s lone House seat. CNN Chief National Correspondent John King gives AC360 the latest on Cheney’s uphill battle to keep her seat.

Plus, the FBI interviewed former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and his former deputy Patrick Philbin earlier this year as part of the investigation into the documents found at the former President’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Nick Akerman is a former assistant special Watergate prosecutor and a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. He tells Anderson Cooper whether he thinks executive privilege would apply during the interviews with Cipollone and Philbin.  

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Rudy Giuliani has been told by prosecutors that he is a target in the Georgia 2020 presidential election probe. A grand jury is investigating whether former President Trump and his allies violated the law in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Conservative lawyer George Conway tells Anderson Cooper he thinks Giuliani is in “deep trouble.”

Plus, Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is facing a tough primary contest in Wyoming after she voted to impeach the former President following the January 6 attack on the Capitol. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins AC360 from Jackson, Wyoming after talking with voters.

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A judge unsealed the Mar-a-Lago search warrant which revealed the Justice Department took eleven sets of classified documents from former President Trump’s Florida home. The warrant also identified three possible federal crimes as reasons for the search. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe tells Anderson Cooper if he thinks there was a national security risk having these documents stored at Trump’s home. Plus, former Vice President Al Gore joins AC360 to discuss the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act and what that means for the climate crisis.

Airdate: August 12, 2022

Guests: Andrew McCabe, Al Gore.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed that the Justice Department filed a court request to unseal the Mar-a-Lago search warrant and property receipt. This was the first public statement since federal agents searched former President Trump’s home. Garland said he “personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter.” Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tells Anderson Cooper whether he agrees with Garland’s decision to speak publicly. Plus, January 6 House Select Committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren joins AC360 to discuss if anyone from the Trump administration is cooperating with their investigation.

Airdate: August 11, 2022

Guests: Alberto Gonzalez, Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

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CNN has learned that some DOJ officials feel that the department should give a public statement about the search of Mar-a-Lago, former President Trump’s resort and home. Conservative lawyer George Conway tells AC360 he doesn’t think they need to say anything more than what “their procedures are and what their processes are generally for the issuance of search warrants.” Plus, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders joins AC360 to discuss the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act and why he ultimately decided to support it.

Airdate: August 10, 2022

Guests: George Conway, Sen. Bernie Sanders.

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CNN has learned the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago came after authorities believe that the former President or his team failed to return all the documents and other materials that were government property. Former federal judge Nancy Gertner reviewed search warrants as part of her duties while on the federal bench. She walks Anderson Cooper through the standard that needs to be met in order to sign off on a search warrant like this one. Plus, over the weekend the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a $750 billion health care, tax and climate bill. The Democrat-controlled House is expected to pass the legislation on Friday then it’ll be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joins AC360 to discuss which parts of the bill Americans will notice most.

Airdate: August 9, 2022

Guests: Elliot Williams, Sen. Chuck Schumer.

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