After the FBI searched Trump’s Florida home, nearly 11 sets of classified documents were carted off. The FBI also sought documents on nuclear weapons.
Shortly after the ‘raid’ on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida went public, it unleashed political chaos. Among the items that were recovered there were documents belonging to three categories- ‘Top secret’, ‘Secret’ and ‘confidential’- the first one being the highest degree of secrecy. The documents in question are of crucial importance as they deal with America’s national security.
Recovered items at Trump’s
Several American media outlets reported the items retrieved from his home. The items included, 15 boxes of records, 30 items in total, a note of clemency to Roger Stone, binders of photos and information on ‘President of France’. It is also being speculated that among the documents that the FBI was seeking, information on nuclear weapons was one of them. Many anonymous sources close to security intelligence have also claimed that during Trump’s administration, documents were often mishandled. Many sensitive documents on America’s internal security and its operations in Iran.
Image source- NYtimes
On Friday, the Justice Department also asked a Florida judge to unseal the search warrant and make it public. Even though he cannot discuss the investigation, Attorney General Merrick Garland personally authorized to seek permission for the warrant. Trump’s legal team sought the motion to unseal the warrant shortly after the search went public. The motion said, “The public’s clear and powerful interest in understanding what occurred under these circumstances weighs heavily in favour of unsealing”. “That said, the former President should have an opportunity to respond to this Motion and lodge objections, including with regards to any ‘legitimate privacy interests’ or the potential for other ‘injury’ if these materials are made public.”, it further added. Citing “substantial public interest in this matter”, Garland also said that Trump’s legal team had a deadline until Friday 3 p.m. to oppose the unsealing.
Response
Trump, in his usual style, has already come up with fascinating conspiracy theories. He even went as far as accusing the FBI of ‘planting evidence’, all without proof of course. He has dismissed the entire debacle to be a mere ‘hoax’.
During the initial search, several shocking reports also came to light about the handling of information during his term. Several reports have reported that Trump had a habit of ‘ripping up’ important presidential documents. Photos have surfaced with wads of papers flushed down the toilet.
Trump’s impetuous way of functioning was a constant cause of worry in the law enforcement circle. The handling of documents would have made it very easy for America’s opponents and rivals to exploit the weakness.
Armed standoff at FBI office
Shortly after the news went public, it divided the country. Pro-Trump forces quickly aligned and declared their support for the former president. As reflected on social media, many were not happy with the recent development. TruthSocial, Trump’s social platform became a breeding ground for his supporters and far-right forces. One such supporter, Ricky Shiffer, a navy veteran, took things to the extreme.
Image source- heavy.com
Shiffer took to the platform TruthSocial to declare a “call to arms” before trying to storm the FBI’s Cincinnati branch. After a tense standoff and a series of failed negotiations with the police Shiffer was killed by the police.
Shiffer was not the only person who felt enraged by the recent search. Since the FBI started its investigation, people from law enforcement have started receiving threats online. Addressing the issue Garland said the FBI agents were “dedicated, patriotic public servants” and he was “honoured to work alongside them.”
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