The former American president, Donald Trump, has said that agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have “raided” his house in Florida.
Trump said in a statement that his Mar-a-Lago home was “invaded by a large group of FBI agents.”
This search is reported to be related to several investigations into whether Trump is in possession of official documents.
This dramatic escalation of law enforcement officials comes as Trump prepares for a third presidential run in 2024.
According to the American network, CBS News, Trump was in the so-called Trump Tower in New York City at the time the raids took place.
“These are dark times for our nation,” said Trump’s statement.
He said that he cooperated with all federal agencies, therefore “the unannounced raids on my home were neither necessary nor appropriate.”
Trump has said these actions amount to “prosecutorial misconduct” and “weaponizing the justice system” to prevent him from running for president again.
“Such an attack could only happen in third world countries,” he said.
“Unfortunately, America has become one of these countries, corrupt at levels we have not seen before.”
“They also opened my safe.”
Eric Trump, Trump’s son, has told the Fox News channel that the FBI’s searches have been linked to the State Archives.
In February, the State Archives, a US government agency that manages the storage of presidential documents, asked the justice system to investigate Trump over the way he handled official documents.
The State Archives said it had secured 15 boxes from Trump’s home, some of which contained classified documents.
By law, US presidents must turn over all their documents, including emails, to the State Archives.
But some officials believe that former President Trump destroyed many documents.
The archives said some documents were returned in poor condition and had to be glued together.
Trump, of course, has dismissed reports of such a thing.
A senior Trump adviser has told CBS that federal agents have sought presidential documents at Mar-a-Lago.
“It has to do with the Presidential Documents Act,” said a Trump source who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.
“Have you ever heard of a raid for something like this?
According to this source, “the FBI agents got away with little.”
For such a search by agents, having a judge’s decision.
Law enforcement agencies appear to have indications that such searches will result in evidence of illegal activity.
A law enforcement official — who was not identified — said the Secret Service was notified shortly after the decision to search was made, and that agents protecting the former president assisted the FBI.
According to this source, several boxes were taken out of the house, adding that no door was broken and that the search ended on Monday afternoon.
An official has said that the White House has not been informed of such searches by the FBI.
“Some found out from the media, some from social media.”
The White House has said it is limiting communications with senior Justice Department officials to avoid what could be considered political pressure.
American President Joe Biden had promised during the presidential campaign that he would stay away from justice issues.
In addition to the State Archives matter, the US House of Representatives is investigating Trump’s actions regarding the January 6, 2021 riots, when crowds of his supporters entered the Capitol as lawmakers prepared to certify victory. of Biden in the election.
The US Department of Justice is investigating whether Trump has challenged the results of the 2020 election.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has said he intends to hold everyone accountable.
A prosecutor in Fulton County, Georgia, is also investigating whether Trump and his supporters attempted to interfere in the 2020 election results.
