Over the past few decades, we have watched the political pendulum swing from left to right slowly flirting with the line of no return.
We’ve witnessed thousands call for Clinton to be impeached based on a marital morality flaw, saw the rallies calling for the impeachment of George W. Bush for the war on Afghanistan, and later conservative groups targeted by the IRS under Barack Obama.
It wasn’t long before that we would then see presidential hopeful Donald Trump publicly mock Hillary Clinton by suggesting she needed jail time, or Clinton retaliating to her defeat and planting the Russia hoax.
But on Monday, August 9, the Nation stood in shock as the FBI raided former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, marking the first time in U.S. history such an event has occurred.
“These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mara- Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” Trump stated in an email. “After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate.”
According to multiple news outlets, the FBI executed a search warrant around 6 p.m., which is linked to an investigation claiming Trump unlawfully took White House classified documents,
specifically around 15 boxes worth of material, with him to his Mar-a-Lago home after his presidency. If convicted, Trump would have to foreclose his possible run for the presidency in 2024.
The entire ordeal has been described as a highly unusual and aggressive step, as any criminal investigation of nonviolent conduct would call for the FBI and DOJ to request cooperation from the defendant’s lawyers.
Trump’s legal team has been cooperating with all agencies, especially regarding the Capital Riot of January 6. Even Nixon’s home was never raided after Watergate. In fact, he never even handed over portions of the Watergate tapes. Therefore, this abrupt and bombshell of an attack on Trump’s home has many people weary on its intentions.
“Biden knew all about this, just like he knew all about Hunter’s deals,” Trump posted on his Truth Social website. He also pushed that the raid was a continuation of politically motivated investigations against him. “We are no better than a third world country, a banana republic,” he wrote.
In response to the attack, the former president’s son, Eric Trump, made a point to reveal not only did FBI agents refuse to hand over a search warrant, but that his father’s lawyer, Christina Bobb, was not permitted on the premises and was ordered to stand at the end of the Mar-a-Lago driveway.
“It’s all a coordinated attack with the FBI,” said Eric Trump, insisting the raid was approved by President Joe Biden.
Although the federal Judge Bruce Reinhart, a contributor to the Obama campaign who is known for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, signed off on the warrant claiming FBI agents had shown probable cause to enter the home. The Biden Administration claims to have no knowledge of the raid. President Biden is not taking any questions regarding the matter, and is referring all questions to the Justice Department.
Even Democrats are concerned. They understand that if an acquittal awaits, it would be bad for the rule of law–because it would suggest the prosecution had been illegitimate or political, as stated in the Japan Times. Many Democrats have reacted to Monday’s events in an unfavorable way.
“I’m no Trump fan. I want him as far away from the White House as possible. But a fundamental part of his appeal has been that it’s him against a corrupt government establishment. This raid strengthens that case for millions of Americans who will see this as unjust persecution,” tweeted Andrew Yang, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020 and for mayor of New York in 2021.
“DOJ must immediately explain the reason for its raid & it must be more than a search for inconsequential archives, or it will be viewed as a political tactic and undermine any future credible investigation & legitimacy of January 6 investigations,” tweeted Andrew Cuomo, former Governor of New York.
Republicans are calling for the resignation or impeachment of Attorney General Garland, the publisher of the search warrant, and answers to many questions they have.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) believes the move was politically motivated due to the approaching of midterms, and the possibility that Trump may run for president again in 2024. “Doing this 90 days before an election reeks of politics,” said Graham. He also stated he believes more so now that Trump will run again.
Over 74 million Trump supporters have not remained quiet. Dozens of supporters have continued to gather outside Mar-a-Lago in response to the raid, along with press and law enforcement.
In addition to this, Eric Trump posted on Truth Social regarding the influx of donations that his father’s site has been receiving since Monday’s raid. “DonaldJTrump.com is shattering all fundraising records and I’m told has raised more money in the past 24 hours than ever before in recent history! The American people are p—ed!!”
