[UPDATE] After it was confirmed that multiple classified files have been seized from the home of Donald Trump in an FBI raid on 8 August, the ex-President of the United States has now shared that his three passports were taken by the investigating officers too – something that's never happened to a President before. And which could be seen as giving the impression that he's in a real spot of bother right now...
Several news outlets have also put a request in to have the search warrant needed by the FBI unsealed, something the organisation has pushed back against, saying it contains "highly classified materials".
"If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government's ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps," they wrote in a court filing.
On the subject on his passports being seized, Trump has been - as per - vocal. On a social media platform, Truth Social, he wrote, "This is an assault on a political opponent at a level never seen before in our Country. Third World!"
As reported by the BBC, a law enforcement source confirmed that the passports taken included two expired ones and one active diplomatic passport, and that as of Monday (15 August), Trump was entitled to pick them up.
[PUBLISHED 9 AUGUST]
Former President of the United States, Donald Trump, is making headlines again after the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) raided his luxury Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, reportedly in relation to his handling of official documents when leaving the White House. In a nutshell: it sounds as though they're trying to get to the bottom of whether or not Trump took a load of classified papers when his reign ended, amongst a few other shady accusations.
Everyone's clicking on...
Unsurprisingly, it sounds as though the ex-POTUS is rather miffed about the whole thing, telling his ardent supporters in a statement on the 'Save America' website (which encourages parents to pull their children out of schools as they've been 'radicalised' by the Left) that the raid represents "dark times for our Nation".
He went on to describe what happened to his "beautiful home" as being part of a "witch hunt" implemented by Democrats. The BBC reports that several boxes were removed from the property and that no doors were kicked down during the daytime visit, which required a search warrant.
"After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate," Trump said. "It is prosecutorial misconduct, the weaponization of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024, especially based on recent polls."
Trump also added, in a word, that literally nothing he's ever been accused of is his fault. At all. It's all just part of the very, very unfair witch hunt.
"The political persecution of President Donald J. Trump has been going on for years, with the now fully debunked Russia, Russia, Russia Scam, Impeachment Hoax #1, Impeachment Hoax #2, and so much more, it just never ends," he declared. "It is political targeting at the highest level!"
Back in February, the National Archives said it had recovered multiple boxes of papers from Mar-a-Lago, including those relating to classified security intel, which Trump should have turned over at the end of his stint as the top dog.
The alleged raid comes just weeks after the passing of Trump's first wife, Ivana, who died suddenly from blunt impact injuries to the torso after falling down the stairs. The 73-year-old's death was ruled as accidental by the Medical Examiner's Office, according to a report from NY Post.
Neither the FBI or the justice department have commented on this story.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
