Monday’s revelation that the FBI had searched Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida sounded like a bombshell in the United States, where primaries are currently underway ahead of the fall midterm elections. The fact that the Federal Police searches the private residence of a former president is unique.
“This is exceptional, never before has the FBI entered the home of a former president in this way to look for clues in an investigation,” says Dan Blank, professor of North American studies at Uppsala University.
The criticism from Republican politicians was enormous. Several prominent politicians, such as GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, suggest the raid was politically motivated.
Even potential rivals to Trump in the 2024 presidential run, such as Mike Pence and Ron DeSantis, have joined in the criticism.
– This united the party. Almost all prominent Republicans have joined Trump in a joint criticism of the actions of the Department of Justice and the FBI, says Plank.
Polarization is increasing
Another consequence of the raid is that the polarization between Trump supporters and those against him is growing. The tone rises and there is an irreconcilable tone between the two sides, believes Dag Blanc. Democrats and Republicans have very different descriptions of what happened.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, among other things, “No one is above the law, not even a former president,” while Republican Kevin McCarthy called the raid an “escalation” of her own. Federal authorities, targeting “political opponents of the regime.”
– This is driving polarization. Trump is consolidating his position among his former supporters. For him, this is another sign that his opponents are after him, says Planck.
“a lot on your feet”
Dag Blank finds it doubtful that there is any political decision behind the actions of the FBI.
The FBI and the Department of Justice are on the side of partisan politics. This is an investigation initiated by the FBI and approved by a federal judge. This means that an assessment has been made that there are good reasons to believe that a crime has been committed. If this could be shown to be a politically motivated investigation, it would be extremely dangerous.
According to Dag Blanck, one could assume, precisely because of the sensitivity of the matter – that it concerned a former president – that the decision on the raid was well thought out.
– You can probably conclude that they must be absolutely sure that they have a lot on their feet. It’s a well-thought-out decision.
Protesters outside Trump Tower in New York. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP/TT
The House of Representatives is investigating Trump’s involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Congress.
The US Department of Justice is investigating Trump’s role in attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.
Georgia prosecutors are investigating Trump’s suspected attempt to influence the state’s results in the presidential election.
A federal court this week ruled the House of Representatives’ right to see Trump’s tax returns, which he has long tried to keep secret.
The New York State Department of Justice is investigating suspected fraud at the Trump family business.
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