Ex-US President Donald Trump has said his Florida home was "raided" by the FBI, and that agents broke open a safe.
A senior Trump adviser in Palm Beach told CBS that the search by federal agents on Mar-a-Lago was about the presidential records.
His son Eric said on Fox News on Monday night that he had spent the day with his father and that the search happened because “the National Archives wanted to corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession”.
Asked how the documents ended up at Mar-a-Lago, Eric Trump said the boxes were among items that got moved out of the White House during “six hours” on Inauguration Day, as the Bidens prepared to move into the building.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate, said in a statement on Twitter that it was “an escalation in the weaponisation” of US government agencies.
5. A supporter of former President Donald Trump drives past his Mar-a-Lago estat
A supporter of former President Donald Trump drives past his Mar-a-Lago estate, Monday, Many had gathered to protest the raid. Photo: Wilfredo Lee
6. Suppoerters of former US President Donald Trump stand outside his residence residence in Mar-A-Lago
Suppoerters of former US President Donald Trump stand outside his residence residence in Mar-A-Lago, Florida on August 8, 2022. Photo: GIORGIO VIERA
7. Supporters of former US President Donald Trump stand outside his residence in Mar-A-Lago
Supporters of former US President Donald Trump stand outside his residence in Mar-A-Lago, Florida on August 8, 2022. Several boxes were taken away, asource said, adding that no doors were kicked down and that the raid had concluded by the late afternoon. Photo: GIORGIO VIERA
8. Supporters of former President Donald Trump shout as Kamrel Eppinger reports live for WPTV News Channel 5
Supporters of former President Donald Trump shout as Kamrel Eppinger reports live for WPTV News Channel 5 near the home of former President Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago on August 8, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI raided the home to retrieve classified White House documents. Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui