WASHINGTON — The Justice Department, as Attorney General, has sent federal agents to seize documents from former President Donald Trump's home in Florida. Merrick Garland said he had "personally approved" the unusual move to seek the warrant.
The government requested In a brief statement from the Justice Department when it submitted, Garland defended the move to search for Mar-a-Lago and said he "does not take such a decision lightly."
However, he said he was bound by federal law, departmental regulations, and an ethical obligation to provide more information about the basis for the search.
Adherence to one's role is a fundamental principle of the Department of Justice and democracy, and upholding the rule of law means applying the law fairly, without fear or favor." he said. "That's exactly what the Department of Justice is doing under my watch. Every American deserves fair application of the laws, due process of law, and a presumption of innocence."
The Department of Justice's decision to release the warrant was made "in light of the former president's official confirmation of the investigation, the circumstances surrounding it, and the substantial interest in the matter."[17] 
The former president revealed the FBI had executed a search warrant in Mar-a, Lago said Monday, sources said. It confirmed to CBS News that the raid was related to a Justice Department investigation into presidential recordtreatment ofTrump. The National Archives and Records Administration recovered 15 boxes of presidential records. It contained classified national security materials. - Lago in mid-January and referred the Department of Justice to an investigation.
During a raid earlier this week, the FBI seized boxes and papers, two sources confirmed to his CBS News, No electronics were taken out. One official said some or all of the seized records contained classified information.
A source familiar with the matter told CBS News on Thursday that a federal grand jury issued a subpoena related to the documentary investigation in the spring, and Justice Department officials said he In June he met with Trump's lawyers at Mar-a-Lago. record. Online news outlet Just the News first reported the existence of the subpoena.
Trump and his Republican supporters were quick to condemn the investigation, claiming without evidence that it was a politically motivated attack on a likely challenger to President Biden in 2024. If the Republicans win control of the House in his November midterm elections, an inquiry into the Justice Department will have Garland tweet to keep the record and testify next year. Tell them to prepare.
Robert Costa and Andres Triay contributed reporting.
