Judge grants Trump’s request for special master over Mar-a-Lago raid | First Thing

Federal court accepts ex-president's call for official to set aside materials potentially subject to privilege protections. Plus, Chris Rock on Will Smith's apology video

Good morning.

A federal judge has granted Donald Trump's request to have a special master" appointed to review documents the FBI seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate that could be subject to privilege protections in the investigation into unauthorized retention of government secrets.

Will the DoJ appeal? Yes, it would probably appeal against the decision to the US court of appeals for the 11th circuit, officials said, though in the meantime it will almost certainly delay the investigation into potential violations of the Espionage Act and potential obstruction of justice.

When was he arrested? Francis was arrested in a San Diego hotel room during a sting in 2013, and pleaded guilty two years later. He has had various health problems, including kidney cancer, and has been held at a private residence since 2018.

Why has he made an escape now? It's unclear, as he had been acting as a cooperating witness for a federal prosecutor, but he was due to be sentenced on 22 September.