GOP slams DOJ ‘weaponization’ after FBI raids Trump’s Mar-a-Lago; Dems call it “responsibility”

After the previous one President TrumpFlorida’s Mar-a-Lago home raided by FBI agents, Republicans are criticizing the Biden administration and accusing the Justice Department of “political weaponry,” while Democrats are praising agency to hold Trump accountable for “misconduct.”

“The MAL attack is another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the regime’s political opponents, while people like Hunter Biden are treated with kid gloves,” said Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Now the Regime Is Getting Another 87,000 IRS Agents to Fencing Their Adversaries? Banana Republic.”

Multiple sources tell Fox News that the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago is related to materials Trump allegedly took to his private residence after his presidency concluded. That matter was referred to the Department of Justice by the National Archives and Records Administration, which said it found classified material in 15 boxes at the residence.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy issued a warning to Attorney General Merrick Garland that broad oversight by Republicans in Congress is headed his way.

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“Attorney General Garland: Preserve your documents and clear your calendar,” McCarthy wrote.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem slammed Biden’s FBI, calling the agency’s actions “un-American” in a statement posted on Twitter Monday evening.

“The FBI raid on President Trump’s home is an unprecedented political weaponization of the Department of Justice. They have been after President Trump as a candidate, as president, and now as a former president. Using the criminal justice system in that way it is not… American,” Noem wrote.

“Nothing like this has ever happened to a president of the United States. After working and cooperating with the appropriate government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was neither necessary nor appropriate,” Trump said Monday.

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“It is bad conduct by the prosecution, the weaponization of the justice systemand an attack from Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for president in 2024, especially based on recent polls, and who will also do anything to stop Republicans and conservatives in the upcoming midterm elections.” the former president continued.

But “team” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, said the FBI is working toward “accountability” and went so far as to say Trump should be in jail.

“This is what happens when you break the law, try to steal an election, and incite a deadly insurgency. Donald Trump should be in jail. I’m glad to see the FBI taking steps toward accountability.” .

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., called Trump’s statement “defensive” during an MSNBC segment Monday.

“But look, the FBI doesn’t just go in unless a judge approves a search warrant. That means they have some probable evidence about possible crimes. And that’s something the whole country needs to pay attention to and it shows that Judge Garland, Attorney General Garland is setting it up step by step,” he stated.

Trump waves to the crowd after the FBI raid on Mar-a-lago
(Felipe Ramales: Fox News Digital)

“I think Attorney General Garland and the Department of Justice have done a very good job following the facts,” he said. “I think that gives me confidence that the Department of Justice is really pursuing this thoroughly, objectively and in a non-political way,” Khanna continued.

Congressional Republicans also took to Twitter, criticizing the FBI’s “unprecedented” raid.

“The only thing missing from the FBI’s unprecedented raid on President Trump’s home is Joe Biden’s Muammar Gaddafi sunglasses and cap,” wrote Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., asked on Twitter, “What does the FBI know about Hunter Biden?”

Republican Representative Jim Banks of Indiana mentioned the $739 billion Manchin-Schumer bill that just passed the Senate, which expanded the IRS, in his rebuke of the FBI action.

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“If the FBI can raid the home of a former President of the United States, imagine what 87,000 more IRS agents will do to you,” he joked on Twitter.

Federal law prohibits the removal of classified documents to unauthorized sites, although Trump may try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.

Fox News’ Brooke Singman, David Spunt and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.