More details are emerging around the recent FBI raid of the resort Mar-a-Lago where Donald Trump resides, where they were investigating evidence of classified information being taken there illegally from the White House.
Twelve boxes of documents were seized from the massive residence, which agents searched extensively including by cracking his personal safe and searching Melania Trump’s closet. FBI Agents were first allowed to search Mar-a-Lago’s storage back in May in regard to their investigation but returned with a larger search arrant this month.
Right wing figures have attempted to discredit the raid as a political hit orchestrated by President Joe Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke on Thursday about the investigation and those attacks. He first noted that they would be requesting a Florida federal judge unseal the search warrant the FBI obtained to search Mar-a-Lago.
“The Department did not make any public statements on the day of the search. The former President publically confirmed the search that evening, as is his right,” Garland said, poking a hole in the narrative spun by right-wingers that this move was being done for attention. “The search warrant was authorized by a Federal Court upon the required finding of probable cause,” Garland added in no uncertain terms.
“Upholding the rule of law means applying the law evenly, without fear or favor,” the Attorney General said. He also made it clear that he “personally approved” the search warrant and that “The Department does not take such a decision lightly.”
He then issued a response to what he called “unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department Agents and prosecutors. I will not stand by silently while their integrity is unfairly attacked. The men and women of the FBI and Justice Department are dedicated, patriotic public servants.”
