FBI was split on how to handle Mar-a-Lago search for classified documents
by Rachel Schilke, Breaking News Reporter |
March 01, 2023 11:04 AM
FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors flipped back and forth for months on the best strategy to retrieve classified documents from former President Donald Trump, ultimately leading to a high-profile raid that drew nationwide criticism.
Prosecutors uncovered evidence that Trump was knowingly holding secret documents at his home in Florida and began asking the FBI to conduct a surprise raid early on in May 2022, but two senior FBI officials viewed the plan as too combative, per a report from the Washington Post. They proposed asking Trump for his permission to search Mar-a-Lago, according to four officials close to the investigation.
Justice Department officials eventually won the battle, with the FBI conducting an unprecedented search of the former president's home on Aug. 8 that resulted in the discovery of more than 300 classified documents. Similar documents have been found inside the personal residences of President Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence.
The National Archives sent a referral to the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate missing classified records that they suspected were in Trump's possession. Boxes received in January from Trump revealed 184 classified documents, prompting them to suspect more were at Mar-a-Lago.
In April, the FBI and prosecutors were met with resistance from Trump's lawyers as they attempted to prevent the bureau from reviewing the records, alerting officials that he may be hiding something. Investigators interviewed Trump's associates and staff, who confirmed that there were more boxes at Mar-a-Lago.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/fbi-split-handle-trump-home-search-classified-documents
