Republicans are slamming the Joe Biden administration and accusing the Department of Justice of “political weaponization” after FBI agents raided former President Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, while Democrats applaud the agency for holding Trump accountable for “wrongdoing.”
The FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago is related to the materials Trump allegedly brought to his private residence after his presidency ended. The National Archives and Records Administration referred the matter to the Justice Department after discovering classified material in 15 boxes at the residence.
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House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has warned Attorney General Merrick Garland that he will be subjected to extensive oversight by Republicans in Congress.
McCarthy wrote, “Attorney General Garland: Preserve your documents and clear your calendar.”
In a statement posted on Twitter Monday evening, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem blasted Biden’s FBI, calling the agency’s actions “un-American.”
“The FBI raid on President Trump’s home is an unprecedented political weaponization of the Justice Department. They have pursued President Trump as a candidate, as President, and now as a former President. Using the criminal justice system in this manner is un-American,” Noem wrote.
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“Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before. After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump stated on Monday.
“It is prosecutorial misconduct, the weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024, especially based on recent polls, and who will likewise do anything to stop Republicans and Conservatives in the upcoming Midterm Elections,” the former president proceeded.
However, “Squad” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., stated that the FBI is working toward “accountability” and even suggested that Trump be imprisoned.
“That’s what happens when you break the law, try to steal an election, and incite a deadly insurrection. Donald Trump should be in jail. I’m glad to see the FBI taking steps towards accountability.”
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During an MSNBC segment Monday, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., described Trump’s statement as “defensive.”
“But, look, the FBI doesn’t just walk in without a search warrant from a judge. This implies that they have some probable evidence of wrongdoing. And it’s something the entire country should be aware of, as it demonstrates that Justice Garland, Attorney General Garland, is laying the groundwork for this step by step” he said.
“I think Attorney General Garland and the Justice Department did an excellent job of sticking to the facts,” he said. “I do believe that this gives me confidence that the Justice Department is pursuing this thoroughly, objectively, and nonpolitically,” Khanna added.
Republicans in Congress also took to Twitter to condemn the FBI’s “unprecedented” raid.
“The only thing missing from the unprecedented FBI raid at President Trump’s home is Muammar Gaddafi’s sunglasses and cap on Joe Biden,” wrote Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs.
Federal law forbids the removal of classified documents to unpermitted locations.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told the BBC that this search warrant is unique in American history and called it “a big deal.”
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The Presidential Records Act (PRA) mandates that American presidents transfer all of their correspondence, official papers, and emails to the National Archives (NA).
Why a search warrant was required to enter Mar-a-Lago is unclear given that the former president claimed to have cooperated with the necessary law enforcement agencies. But the justice department’s action is incredibly important.
