If you’re just joining us or need a catch-up, here’s a look at the key developments in the FBI search on former President Donald Trump’s Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach.
The FBI search is reportedly part of an investigation into whether Trump brought classified records from the White House to his Florida residence – Trump said the residence was raided by the FBI, and that agents broke open a safe
The Republican Party is reportedly trying to leverage anger over the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence to fundraise for Republican Party candidates ahead of US midterm elections
Former US Vice President Mike Pence has called on US Attorney General Merrick Garland to give a “full accounting” to the public of why the search warrant was carried out
About two dozen Trump supporters have lined the state road outside the property in West Palm Beach, waving flags and carrying Trump 2020 banners
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi agreed the FBI search is a “pretty serious step”, adding that not even a former president is “above the law”
The FBI’s search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home was kept firmly under wraps until Trump himself announced it to the world.
Even President Joe Biden was given no notice of it happening, a senior White House official told CBS.
So who did know about it?
The FBI reports to the US Attorney General, the nation’s top lawyer, and its activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence. The bureau does not report directly to the White House.
Any search warrant like this has to be signed off by a judge. To do so, investigators must demonstrate that there is probable cause for the search, which essentially boils down to whether it is reasonable to believe that a crime has been or is being committed.
But given the explosive ramifications of this search in particular, many political analysts believe the approval would have had to come from the highest level.
That would likely include FBI Director Christopher Wray – who was appointed by Trump when he was president – and also his boss, the current attorney general Merrick Garland.
(BBC)
