A few days ago the FBI conducted a search of Donald Trump’s Florida home. Predictably the former president and others were appalled at this unprecedented action. Trump is quoted as say that the search was persecution by “Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024.” House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted:
I’ve seen enough.
The Department of Justice has reached an intolerable state of weaponized politicization.
When Republicans take back the House, we will conduct immediate oversight on this department, follow the facts, and leave no stone unturned.
Attorney General Garland, preserve your documents and clear your calendar.
(1) Kevin McCarthy on Twitter: “Attorney General Garland: preserve your documents and clear your calendar. https://t.co/dStAjnwbAT” / Twitter
If Trump and McCarthy are correct, the raid was an abuse of power for political purposes, but it is far too early to come to that conclusion. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie (who is also a former U.S. Attorney and knows a thing or three about criminal investigations of prominent political figures) points out that this was not just a decision by the FBI, but the Justice Department had to convince a federal judge that there was probable cause for the search. As Christie says, we “really don’t know what we don’t know,” so we need some patience.
For my part, I really doubt that this action was raw politics. There are just too many people involved with too much to lose and little to gain. While some people would no doubt be intimidated by an FBI search and “get the message,” who would think Donald Trump is one of them? Like Governor Christie, I look forward to the release of relevant information in due course.
Jay Bohn
August 11, 2022