US judge hints she may grant Trump request for Mar-a-Lago ‘special master’

Aileen Cannon does not make formal ruling at hearing but appears inclined to appoint official to decide which materials can be used

A federal judge on Thursday appeared inclined to grant Donald Trump his request to have a so-called special master set aside documents seized by the FBI from his Mar-a-Lago resort that could potentially be subject to privilege protections in the investigation surrounding his unauthorized retention of government secrets.

The Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, did not formally rule from the bench on the former president's request, saying at an hours-long hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida, that she would review the matter further before making a final decision.