A search warrant was executed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday. The agency conducted a raid at former US President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
“They even broke into my safe”: Trump
Trump released a statement and said, “These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents. Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”
“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said before bemoaning: “They even broke into my safe!”
Adding to it, he said, “It is prosecutorial misconduct, the weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024, especially based on recent polls, and who will likewise do anything to stop Republicans and Conservatives in the upcoming Midterm Elections.”
Former US President claims the raid to be politically motivated
Reportedly, the search was tied to classified information Trump allegedly took with him from the White House to his Palm Beach resort in January 2021. A senior government official told that the FBI was at Mar-a-Largo “for the majority of the day” and confirmed that the search warrant was connected to the National Archives.
Trump claims that the raid was politically motivated, although he did not provide specifics. It is still not known why the FBI conducted the raid. However, it is assumed to be in connection to the events of January 6 when Trump allegedly attempted to overturn the Presidential elections.
Law related to classified documents
As per Federal law, officials are barred from carrying classified documents to unauthorized locations. According to National Archives and Records Administration, there are 15 boxes at Trump’s residence.
“In mid-January 2022, NARA arranged for the transport from the Trump Mar-a-Lago property in Florida to the National Archives of 15 boxes that contained Presidential records, following discussions with President Trump’s representatives in 2021,” the National Archives said in a statement on Feb. 7.
The Secret Service facilitated access to the property: Report
According to a Secret Service official, just hours before agents searched Trump’s residence, the FBI notified the Secret Service about the bureau’s plans to execute the warrant. The Secret Service facilitated access to the property, the official said. However, it did not participate in any aspect of the search.
The White House states that it never gave a heads up to the search. “We did not have notice of the reported action and would refer you to the Justice Department for any additional information,” a White House official said.