REVEALED: The FBI agent in charge of the Trump Mar-a-Lago raid said he had “strong concerns” about the operation, said the FBI had not received authorization for the agent’s search and that it was “very unusual” that DC was directing the Florida investigation as testimony to Republicans
- D’Antuono pointed out several anomalies in the raid, including the fact that the Miami field office had not taken care of it
- He also pointed out that the FBI will not wait for Trump’s lawyer to appear before conducting the search
- Trump has been charged with seven federal charges over his handling of classified documents
Chief Justice Jim Jordan said Friday an FBI agent raised “strong concerns” and uncovered “several unusual features” in the Justice Department raid on Mar-a-Lago.
The Justice Department on Thursday indicted Donald Trump on allegations related to his handling of classified documents. Three days earlier, the committee conducted a transcribed interview with Steven D’Antuono, former deputy director of the FBI’s Washington field office.
D’Antuono, one of the senior officers in charge of the raid, told the committee he was frustrated that the FBI would be “on hold again” in the August 2022 raid of Mar-a-Lago.
Chief Justice Jim Jordan said Friday an FBI agent raised “strong concerns” and uncovered “several unusual features” in the Justice Department raid on Mar-a-Lago
D’Antuono pointed to several anomalies in the raid, including the fact that the Miami field office didn’t look into the matter — instead, headquarters assigned the Washington, DC field office to carry out the search warrant.
D’Antuono said he had “absolutely no idea” why the decision was made. He also pointed out that the FBI will not wait for Trump’s lawyer to appear before conducting the search. He said the FBI should have attempted to work with the attorney to obtain consent to search the home before the search was conducted.
D’Antuono said he believes either Attorney General Merrick Garland or FBI Director Christopher Wray made the decision to seek the warrant “despite opposition from line agents working on the case.”
D’Antuono also noted that the FBI had not assigned a US Attorney’s office to the matter.
Trump was indicted on seven federal charges — including conspiracy, violating the Espionage Act and storing classified documents — related to the documents he took after leaving the White House.
Trump’s latest indictment – which he has described as prosecution – marks the first time in US history that a former president has faced a federal indictment.
As Republicans insist the charges are politically motivated, the White House stressed Friday that it was not aware of the charges, and President Biden said he had not spoken to Garland about the matter.
“I haven’t spoken to him at all and I won’t speak to him.” And I have no comment on that.’
Allegations against Trump include: conspiracy to obstruct justice; withholding a document or record; unlawfully conceal a document or record; and concealing a document as part of a federal investigation.
On some counts, the maximum sentence is 20 years.