{O/C} Former President Donald Trump is entangled in an unprecedented FBI probe that's poised to crush his potential 2024 run for the presidency.
This, after the FBI executed a search warrant, now sealed, at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
{Take SOT}
Allegation Trump brought home classified material from the White House was the impetus for executing a search warrant, approved by a federal judge, on Monday.
{Soundbite}
ERIC TRUMP, Son of Donald Trump:
The purpose of the raid, from what they said, was because the National Archives wanted to corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession.
{VO}
The surprise overnight raid was coordinated with the Secret Service.
The former president's security detail validated the search warrant and was present throughout the raid.
While word has it a safe was pried open, with the search warrant now sealed, everything involved in the search is now enshrouded.
A disconcerted Trump was in New York when the search was undertaken.
{Soundbite}
Voice of DONALD TRUMP, Former U.S. President:
Another day in paradise. This was a strange day.
{VO}
But given probable cause a crime has been committed, the FBI instigated the search.
{Soundbite}
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press:
As far as we know, this is an unprecedented step taken by law enforcement against a former president.
We learned that there were fifteen boxes that were located at Mar-a-Lago that the National Archives said, should have been turned over to the Archives, and within those fifteen boxes, there were classified documents.
{VO}
In addition to creating a fundraiser with the FBI raid, Trump trotted out his rhetoric, dubbing the raid "the weaponisation of the justice system."
But the U.S. Attorney General was not intimidated.
{Soundbite}
MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. Attorney General (7/26/2022):
We pursue justice without fear or favour. We intend to hold everyone, anyone who is criminally responsible for events surrounding January 6 or any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another.
Accountable, that's what we do.
{VO}
As irate Trump advocates portray Trump as the victim of a politicised Justice Department comes word Biden was never informed of the search.
The White House evaded a barrage of inquiries surrounding the raid.
{Soundbite}
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, White House Press Secretary:
The President and the White House learned about this FBI search from public reports and we did not have advance notice of this activity.
We're just not going to comment on any ongoing investigations from here.
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