Judge Issues Ruling in Mike Lindell Phone Seizure Case
Mike Lindell Denied Access to Search Warrant Affidavit in FBI Phone Seizure
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has been denied access to the search warrant affidavit which justified the seizure of his cell phone at the hands of the FBI.
Eric Tostrud, a federal judge from the District of Minnesota, made the decision in an order Thursday, saying that the government and FBI “demonstrated a compelling interest in the ongoing criminal investigation,” outweighing Lindell’s right of access. Tostrud denied Lindell’s request for an injunction in the order.
“The extensive, 80-page search warrant affidavit describes in considerable detail ‘the nature, scope, and direction of the government’s investigation and the individuals and specific [activities] involved,’ including information obtained from recorded communications, confidential informants, and cooperating witnesses,” the filing said in explaining reasons to keep the search warrant materials under seal.
Lindell’s phone was taken at a Hardee’s drive-thru in Minnesota in September. He alleges that agents questioned him about a Colorado clerk who was charged in an alleged scheme to breach voting machines. There are no criminal allegations against Lindell himself.
Lindell is a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and has repeatedly claimed that election fraud was present in the 2020 presidential election. He has been sued by voting machine companies over those claims.
Lindell sued the Justice Department and FBI and requested to reclaim his phone. Tostrud previously denied that request. Lindell alleges that federal agents violated his First, Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.