MIAMI — Former President Donald Trump said Monday that the FBI "raided" his Mar-a-Lago, Fla., home and took his safe. A source familiar with the matter said the raid was related to classified information Trump allegedly brought from the White House to the Palm Beach Resort in January 2021. he told NBC News he does.
Trump also wrote a statement that the raid, unprecedented in American history, was politically motivated, but he did not provide details.
"My beautiful home in Palm Beach, Florida, Mar-a-Lago, is currently being besieged, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents, so they are It's a dark time for us," Trump said. said in a lengthy email statement issued by his Save America political committee.
"After working with relevant government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was neither necessary nor appropriate," Trump said before lamenting: "They
Trump's attorney Christina Bob, who said she was present at Monday's raid, told NBC News that Trump and his team were "alived by FBI and DOJ officials every step of the way." We have been working with people,” the agency added. They carried out an unannounced raid and seized documents.
One of his senior government officials told his NBC News that the FBI had been in Mar-a-Largo "for most of the day," with search warrants linked to the National Archives. It was confirmed.
President Trump had to return 15 boxes of his documents that were illegally taken out of the White House earlier this year, the National Archives said in February. 22}
said. -In January 2022, NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) announced that, after speaking with President Trump's representatives in 2021, from Trump's Maa his Lago property in Florida, including the president's records. Arranged transportation of his 15 boxes to the National Archives. The National Archives said in his February 7 statement:
That same month, the National Archives and the Office of Records and Records signed the Department of Justice to Trump's White House. The record violates federal law, and the story was first reported by the Washington Post and later confirmed by NBC News sources.
The New York Timeson Monday was the first to report that the FBI is focusing on National Archives materials.
Just hours before agents searched Trump's residence, the FBI notified the Secret Service of the Bureau's plans to execute the warrant, according to Secret Service officials. The Secret Service facilitated access to the property, officials said, but did not participate in any aspect of the search.
At Justice Department headquarters, a spokeswoman said she declined to comment to NBC News. Officials at the FBI's Washington field office declined to comment, as did officials at his FBI field office in Miami.
A senior Florida law enforcement official confirmed to NBC News that there was "law enforcement activity" in Mar-a-Largo on Monday.
The White House said no warning was given.
A White House official said, "We were not informed of the reported behavior. Please contact the Department of Justice for additional information."
Trump is his winter residence, he is not at Mar-a-Lago. Summers are often spent at Trump's National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The FBI investigation comes just days after Attorney General Merrick Garland told NBC News that it is the "most extensive investigation in Justice Department history." Not only did the rioters break into the Capitol and physically attack police officers, the investigation found them criminally responsible for "obstructing the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another." "I was also investigating whether there was a person.
Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion raid comes just six years after another FBI action over classified material that set Trump's 2016 Electoral College victory: Former FBI Secretary of State James Comey July 5, 2016 press conference on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic rival.
Comey, who broke the Department of Justice protocol, declared at the time that Clinton and her colleagues were "extremely careless in handling highly sensitive classified information." criminal liability.
Trump has consistently criticized Clinton's handling of classified material, in 2016 claiming that it was the "largest political campaign since Watergate." It's a scandal." It was Comey's handling of the Clinton issue that was used as justification for Trump's decision to fire him. Trump's nominee Christopher Wray eventually replaced Comey. He remains in that position today.
Republicans rallied in support of the party's de facto leader, who is considering re-running for president.
“The @FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago is very concerning, especially given the Biden administration's history of going after its parents and other political opponents. It's a national problem for the world," Florida Senator Rick Scott , who heads the Senate Republican campaign division, said on Twitter.
"We need answers now," added Scott, summing up the mood of many Republicans. "The FBI must&explain what they were doing today and why."
Scott's response highlights the potential threat the Justice Department faces to investigate Trump. It is an early sign of a likely heavy political blow, highlighting the many challenges that could indict former presidents who are and likely will be White House nominees. The most influential person in the Republican Party.
Trump has been the focus of multiple investigations. There is a criminal investigation into alleged election interference in Georgia and a civil investigation into whether Trump misrepresented finances to the state in New York. Trump was in the New York area on Monday as he prepared to take a deposition for that case.
However, the largest federal investigation into Trump concerns his involvement in the January 6 riots, leading to his second impeachment and a decision by the House committee investigating the riots. It is also targeted.
Trump was not indicted in any of these investigations.
Regarding how Monday's law enforcement actions will affect Trump's political ambitions, a person close to Trump said:
This source, who is not authorized to speak publicly, said Mr Trump could benefit from being an active presidential candidate if he faces a legal crisis.
Marc Caputo reported from Miami and Ryan J. Reilly from Washington.
