Former President Donald Trump said that the FBI “raided” his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, claiming in a written statement that the search — unprecedented in American history — was politically motivated, without providing specifics.
Trump said in a lengthy email statement issued by his Save America political committee: “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. After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate. They even broke into my safe!”
Sources say that the search was tied to classified information Trump allegedly took with him from the White House to his Palm Beach resort in January 2021. In mid-January, the National Archives “arranged for the transport from Mar-a-Lago to the National Archives of 15 boxes that contained Presidential records, following discussions with President Trump’s representatives in 2021,” the agency said in a statement. When the National Archives discovered the missing documents, it demanded them of the former president, who eventually turned over 15 boxes of the documents in February. The National Archives and Records Administration asked the Justice Department to examine whether Trump’s handling of White House records violated federal law.
According to a Secret Service official, the FBI notified the Secret Service about the bureau’s plans to execute the warrant just hours before agents searched Trump’s residence on Monday. The Secret Service facilitated access to the property, the official said, but did not participate in any aspect of the search.
Trump is not at Mar-a-Lago, his winter residence. He often spends his summers at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
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