Crowds gather outside Mar-a-Lago following news of FBI raiding Trump home

Florida Republican leaders demand answers from FBI

MAR-A-LAGO, Fla. – Monday’s FBI raid of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home quickly brought out supporters of the former president, and those who oppose him as well.

The former commander in chief was not at Mar-a-Lago at the time of the raid, which started around 10 a.m.

Sources tell Local 10 News the search warrant was authorized by the courts and was in relation to some 15 boxes of documents Trump had at Mar-a-Lago, some of which are believed to contain classified information.

“He separated all of us,” Trump opposer Devin Dretzka said outside the property. “He deserves this, he’s a criminal. He has done nothing but negativity for our country and we came here to celebrate.”

“I love this guy,” said Trump supporter Steven Moise. “He’s done so much for this country, more than any president in the United States. Yes of course it is (emotional) -- look at what they’re putting his family through, look at what they’re putting him through.”

11 p.m. report:

The former president said in a statement, in part:

“My beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents.

“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate. It is prosecutorial misconduct, the weaponization of the Justice System…an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024…They even broke into my safe!”

Palm Beach police officers were seen Monday night surrounding the Trump property as crowds outside grew larger.

Meanwhile, Republican leaders from Florida took to social media to demand answers from the FBI.

“The @FBI‘s raid of Mar-a-Lago is incredibly concerning, especially given the Biden admin’s history of going after parents & other political opponents,” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott tweeted. “This is 3rd World country stuff. We need answers NOW. The FBI must explain what they were doing today & why.”

“Using government power to persecute political opponents is something we have seen many times from 3rd world Marxist dictatorships but never before in America,” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio posted, following up with an additional tweet: “After today’s raid on Mar A Lago what do you think the left plans to use those 87,000 new IRS agents for?”

A White House official confirmed Tuesday that they received no advanced notice of the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago.


About the Authors:

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.