Federal police officers searched the property of ex-President Donald Trump in Florida on Tuesday night. The 76-year-old speaks of “political persecution”.
Mar-a-Lago – The home of the former US President Donald Trump in Florida was apparently the target of a raid by the US federal police on Tuesday night. The 76-year-old announced this via the social network “Truth Social” he founded. “My beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, search and occupation by a large group of FBI agents,” the ex-President said. According to media reports, the raid is linked to Trump’s handling of files and documents during his time as president.
House search at Donald Trump: Ex-President speaks of attack by “radical left-wing Democrats”
“This unannounced raid on my home was neither necessary nor appropriate,” Trump continued. “Even” his safe was opened. Trump called the process “political persecution” and an attack by “radical left Democrats”. The 76-year-old also sees a parallel to the Watergate scandal involving former President Richard Nixon. According to media reports, the searches ended on Monday evening (local time). Trump himself should not be in his house during the search Haus in Mar-a-Lago found.
The raid might now be related to allegations made once morest Trump months ago. In winter, the ex-president was accused of stealing files and documents during his time as US President to have held back. Journalist Maggie Haberman from the New York Times even reported that Trump flushed documents down the toilet during his presidency. Trump rejected that. On Monday, photos finally appeared that are supposed to prove this.
Serious allegations once morest ex-president: Trump is said to have taken confidential documents home
In addition, the 76-year-old is said to have taken documents to Mar-a-Lago that allegedly contained national security information and were marked as classified. In addition, in the USA all correspondence of the President is actually archived and kept for posterity. This is required by law. Trump, however, is said to have brought 15 boxes full of government documents, memorabilia, gifts and letters from the White House to his home in Florida following his term in office. According to the media, these included letters from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a letter from Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama.
Trump speaks of “strange day” – search approved by the highest authority
Searching the property of a former president is highly unusual. The search warrant requires approval from the highest level in the Department of Justice. Justice Department officials declined to comment on any aspect of the search warrant, like the New York Times wrote.
At an event with former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, which Trump attended by phone on Monday evening (local time), the ex-president only mentioned the incident in passing. “Another day in paradise” and “That was a strange day” was apparently all Trump said regarding the events.
Republicans are calling for the consequences of a house search on ex-President Trump
Reactions to the search of Trump’s property also came from Republicans. House Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he would open an investigation into the Justice Department if Republicans win a House majority in the fall congressional elections.
In recent months there has been repeated speculation regarding Trump’s possible candidacy in the 2024 presidential elections. However, the 76-year-old has not yet confirmed this. Observers fear that Trump might use a possible candidacy to dismiss investigations into his person as politically motivated. The ex-president was also recently in the hearings on the The Capitol Attack was heavily incriminated by witnesses on January 6, 2021. (fd with dpa)
