The Biden administration authorized the use of deadly force during the FBI’s raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August 2022 as part of its investigation into classified records, court documents revealed.
An "Operations Order" produced in discovery as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged improper retention of classified records revealed that the "FBI believed its objective for the Mar-a-Lago raid was to seize ‘classified information, NDI, and US Government records,’" as described in the search warrant.
The order, according to a court filing, contained a "Policy Statement" regarding "Use of Deadly Force," which stated, for example, "Law Enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary."
According to the filing, the DOJ and FBI agents "planned to bring ‘Standard Issue Weapons,' ‘Ammo,’ ‘Handcuffs,’ and ‘medium and large sized bolt cutters,’ but they were instructed to wear ‘unmarked polo or collared shirts’ and to keep ‘law enforcement equipment concealed."
Trump, who spent another day in a New York City courtroom for his unprecedented criminal trial stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into Trump allegedly falsifying business records, reacted to the revelations Tuesday afternoon.
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
Does the knowledge that law enforcement was prepared to use deadly force during the raid change your opinion on the investigation’s motives and methods?
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
In what ways does the idea of using deadly force in a raid on a political figure’s home challenge your beliefs about the justice system?
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
How do you reconcile respect for law enforcement with concerns about their power, particularly in politically sensitive situations?
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
What are your feelings toward the balance between national security and individual rights when officials deem deadly force necessary?
@ISIDEWITH1mo1MO
How does the authorization of deadly force by a current administration against a former president impact your view of democratic principles?
