FBI, 2022: No probable cause for Mar-a-Lago raid

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

The FBI in summer 2022 raised repeated objections to raiding Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, warning agents did not believe the Biden Justice Department had enough evidence to establish "probable cause" that the then-former president had broken the law in handling classified documents, according to bombshell memos turned over Tuesday to Congress.

"WFO [FBI's Washington Field Office] has conducted approximately [Redacted] interviews related to this matter. Very little has been developed related to who might be culpable for mishandling the documents," a June 1, 2022 FBI memo declared. "From the interviews, WFO has gathered information suggesting that there may be additional boxes (presumably of the same type as were sent back to NARA [National Archives] in January) at Mar-a-Lago."

"WFO has been drafting a Search Warrant affidavit related to these potential boxes, but has some concerns that the information is single source, has not been corroborated, and may be dated. DOJ CES [Counterintelligence and Export Control Section] opines, however, that the SWs [search warrants] meet the probable cause standard," that memo read.


https://justthenews.com/accountability/political-ethics/6abombshell-fbi-memos-show-agents-didnt-believe-doj-had-probable

[SVPete]

FBI repeatedly warned DOJ didn't have probable cause to raid Trump home: 'Not been corroborated'

https://justthenews.com/accountability/political-ethics/6abombshell-fbi-memos-show-agents-didnt-believe-doj-had-probable

...

A few weeks later, FBI agents raised more concerns, including about the legality searching Trump's personal residence at the Mar-a-Lago residence, the memos show.

I let them (Biden DOJ) know we are not in agreement for PC (probably cause) on the SW (search warrant) and that we already had an Ops Plan in place that will/can be quickly updated between FBI/MM and FBI/WF," the July 2022 memo said. "However, WF- does not believe we havee PC for the 45 0ffice or the bedroom due to recency and issues of boxes versus classified information. Therefore, as we are in disagreement on the SW and its scope, we are not yet finalizing a SW as we are missing relevant logistics and details."

Summarizing, if I understand this correctly, the actual field office people did not believe there was probably cause for the search warrant. LIEden's DOJ, however, found a cooperative judge and ordered the search in spite of the lack of probable cause.

[SVPete]

Get Trump!

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/12/get-trump.php

Yesterday, the FBI delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee emails relating to the search of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. Senator Charles Grassley has released what I take to be all of the responsive documents.

Comments you may have seen on the emails are correct: the FBI didn’t think there was probable cause to search Trump’s home, but Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice insisted. The FBI thought they should communicate with Trump’s lawyer and likely be able to reach an agreement. Garland’s DOJ refused. The FBI pointed out that President Trump likely had a good legal argument on the documents; DOJ didn’t care.

Here are some extracts from the emails. “WFO” stands for the Washington Field Office of the FBI:

(A lot of png's)

Based on these exchanges, it appears obvious that the FBI hated the idea of a Mar-a-Lago raid, both because there was no probable cause for a search warrant and because the matter was being handled in an unprofessional and needlessly confrontational way by Merrick Garland’s DOJ. ...

WFO repeatedly pointed out the lack of probable cause, specifically of evidence of classified materials. WFO also pointed out, correctly as it truned out, the valid defense Trump could invoke. WFO continually urged working cooperatively through Trump's lawyer, who WFO pointed out had been cooperative. WFO also pointed out that, if recovering documents speedily was an object, then the continuous backing-and-forthing of drafts burned supposedly urgent time.

DOJ continually insisted they had probable cause, but without stating what it was. DOJ repeatedly refused to work with Trump's lawyer and insisting on the unwarned involuntary search that included residential areas.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

WFO repeatedly pointed out the lack of probable cause, specifically of evidence of classified materials. WFO also pointed out, correctly as it truned out, the valid defense Trump could invoke. WFO continually urged working cooperatively through Trump's lawyer, who WFO pointed out had been cooperative. WFO also pointed out that, if recovering documents speedily was an object, then the continuous backing-and-forthing of drafts burned supposedly urgent time.

DOJ continually insisted they had probable cause, but without stating what it was. DOJ repeatedly refused to work with Trump's lawyer and insisting on the unwarned involuntary search that included residential areas.

The cooperation with Trump's lawyers is particularly concerning when it is recalled that the team serving the warrant went in heavy and tactical. There was no need for it.

Not to sound conspiracy minded, but - was the Biden regime hoping for a shoot out as cover to murder Trump?

Was Butler, PA Plan B?

[Ptarmigan]

There are crooks.

[Zathras]

When it comes to President Trump "Orange Man Bad" is the only probable cause those on the left need to violate his rights.

[SVPete]

The cooperation with Trump's lawyers is particularly concerning when it is recalled that the team serving the warrant went in heavy and tactical. There was no need for it.

Not to sound conspiracy minded, but - was the Biden regime hoping for a shoot out as cover to murder Trump?

Was Butler, PA Plan B?

I won't go or stay away from "there", but the FBI emails make clear that one of the reasons they wanted a cooperative or low-key search was the safety of agents and persons at MaL. It is VERY possible that MaL was SWATed both interns of the personnel used and the intent to create danger to MaL people.