MIAMI — Former President Donald Trump stated Monday that the FBI “raided” his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago and even cracked his secure, with a supply acquainted telling NBC News 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.
Trump additionally claimed in a written assertion that the search — unprecedented in American historical past — was politically motivated, although he didn’t present specifics.
“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,” Trump stated in a prolonged electronic mail assertion issued by his Save America political committee.
“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump stated earlier than bemoaning: “They even broke into my safe!”
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 company stated in an announcement.
When the National Archives found the lacking paperwork, it demanded them of the previous president, who ultimately turned over 15 bins of the paperwork in February.
That similar month, the National Archives and Records Administration requested the Justice Department to study whether or not Trump’s dealing with of White House information violated federal regulation, a narrative first reported by The Washington Post and subsequently confirmed by NBC News sources.
Just hours earlier than brokers searched Trump’s residence on Monday, the FBI notified the Secret Service concerning the bureau’s plans to execute the warrant, in accordance to a Secret Service official. The Secret Service facilitated entry to the property, the official stated, however didn’t take part in any facet of the search.
It was unclear how lengthy the FBI remained at Trump’s home.
The New York Times first reported the concentrate on the National Archives.
At Justice Department headquarters, a spokesperson declined to remark to NBC News. An official at the FBI Washington Field Office additionally declined to remark, and an official at the FBI subject workplace in Miami declined to remark as effectively.
A senior regulation enforcement official in Florida confirmed to NBC News that there was “law enforcement activity” at Mar-A-Largo.
The White House stated it was not given a heads up.
“We did not have notice of the reported action and would refer you to the Justice Department for any additional information,” a White House official stated.
The FBI raid got here days after Attorney General Merrick Garland advised NBC News that the “most wide-ranging investigation” in Justice Department historical past was analyzing not solely the rioters who invaded the Capitol and bodily attacked officers, however was additionally analyzing whether or not anybody was “criminally responsible for interfering with the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another.”
Trump’s involvement within the Jan. 6 riot, which resulted in his second impeachment, can be the topic of a House committee analyzing the revolt.
Of how the regulation enforcement motion may have an effect on Trump’s political aspirations, an individual shut to Trump stated: “If he wasn’t running before, he is now.”
The supply, who was not approved to communicate publicly, appeared to be suggesting that Trump may profit from being an lively candidate for the presidency if he faces authorized jeopardy.
Trump will not be at Mar-a-Lago, his winter residence. He usually spends his summers at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
Marc Caputo reported from Miami, Ryan J. Reilly reported from Washington.
Kristen Welker, Ken Dilanian, Peter Nicholas, Zoë Richards and Kelly O’Donnell contributed.