Trump DENIES claim that FBI raided Mar-a-Lago for classified nuclear documents as new report states 'dozens' of boxes with 'top secret files' were found near pool storage room and in an office above ballroom
Donald Trump claims it is a 'hoax' to suggest FBI agents were looking for documents related to nuclear weapons when they searched Mar-a-Lago on Monday, while a new report suggested dozens of boxes with top secret files were found scattered over the property.
The former president took to Truth Social on Friday morning to compare the latest allegations to 'Russia, Russia, Russia', impeachment and the Steele Dossier, and again suggested that law enforcement could have 'planted' evidence.
A report from News Nation then claimed that agents discovered 'boxes everywhere', including some papers labeled top secrets, from two areas including a 'storage room near a pool' and his 'personal office above a ballroom'.
The report did not specify the ballroom or pool where the documents were found, but did state that some of the papers had Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information - the highest level of classification.
Trump's post criticizing agents for banning his lawyers from watching the search came just hours after he said he backed a Florida judge unsealing the search warrant that led to the search on his estate on Monday.
His lawyers have until 3pm on Friday to object to the release, but they are unlikely to object.
'Nuclear weapons issue is a Hoax, just like Russia, Russia, Russia was a Hoax, two Impeachments were a Hoax, the Mueller investigation was a Hoax, and much more,' Trump wrote Friday morning.
He added: 'Same sleazy people involved. Why wouldn’t the FBI allow the inspection of areas at Mar-a-Lago with our lawyer’s, or others, present. Made them wait outside in the heat, wouldn’t let them get even close - said “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” Planting information anyone? Reminds me of a Christofer (sic) Steele Dossier!
Trump also posted about the House vote on the Inflation Reduction Act - calling it 'the biggest green new fake deal bill in history - and tore into Republican 'impeachers' and 'Crazy' Liz Cheney ahead of her Wyoming primary on Tuesday night.
'The department does not take such a decision lightly,' Garland explained in an apparent bid to counter accusations of political persecution from Trump's allies.
'Where possible, it is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search, and to narrowly scope any search that is undertaken.'
Trump was ordered to respond by 3pm on Friday to the DOJ's motion to unseal the warrant.
In his own Thursday statement after Garland's appearance, Trump claimed his lawyers 'were cooperating fully' with the investigation and accused agents of 'getting way ahead of themselves' - but notably made no comment on what he'll do about the warrant.