Trump says FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago

The FBI executed a search warrant Monday at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. — a move Trump railed against in a lengthy statement that called the search “not necessary or appropriate.”

The search was first reported by CNN.

“My beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” he said in a statement. He wasn’t in Florida at the time, CNN reported.

Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson said the agency had no comment when asked whether Attorney General Merrick Garland had personally authorized the search.

“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in a statement. “They even broke into my safe!”

The Justice Department has been investigating the discovery of boxes of records containing classified information that were taken to Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s presidency had concluded. The National Archives and Records Administration referred that matter to the Justice Department, which said it had found classified material in 15 boxes at the residence.

Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, though it is possible that Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.

[ Trump may face criminal referral from Jan. 6 committee: Cheney ]

It was not clear whether the FBI search was connected to that probe.

A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has also been intensifying in Washington.

With News Wire Services