Republicans defend Trump after Mar-a-Lago search

Updated on August 11, 2022 17:45 PM by Emily Hazel

Top congressional Republicans

Top congressional Republicans are flocking to former President Donald Trump's defence after the FBI executed a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy warned Attorney General Merrick Garland to "preserve your records and clear your calendar"

McCarthy

McCarthy: "The DOJ's weaponized partisanship is inexcusable." Media sources say House Republicans briefly discussed the FBI search Tuesday. Top Republicans want answers from the Justice Department. The call had been set to discuss Friday's Inflation Reduction Act. McCarthy started the conversation, then gave it over to Reps. Jim Jordan and Mike Turner, the senior Republicans on the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees, respectively.

Indiana Rep. Jim Banks

They demanded accountability but didn't detail their supervision plans if they win the majority. Trump will also meet with roughly a dozen members of the House Republican Study Committee, led by Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, at his Bedminster, New Jersey, home on Tuesday, presenting an opportune opportunity to rally members to his side after the FBI search.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel

A July Media poll revealed that most Republican and Republican-leaning voters don't want Trump as their party's 2024 nominee. Trump won an unofficial straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas on Saturday. Republican politicians nationwide want his support in 2022. After word of the FBI search, many Republicans, including RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, criticised Democrats, with some claiming Biden should be probed.

House GOP leader

"Joe Biden and his administration must be investigated for using this department against political opponents," said Rep. Elise Stefanik, a House GOP leader. Turner, the House Intelligence Committee's senior Republican, requested a "urgent briefing" from FBI Director Christopher Wray, saying the agency's action was "unusual" and he was "unaware of any actual or alleged national security concern" presented by Trump's materials.

Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley

Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, a potential 2024 candidate, slammed Biden and urged on Garland to resign or be impeached. "Garland should resign or be impeached. Publicize the search warrant. Remove Christopher Wray. The FBI was overhauled "Tweeted Hawley. Pence asked Garland for a "full accounting" of the FBI search. Pence tweeted, "I share millions of Americans' concern at the extraordinary search of President Trump's home."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

"Yesterday's action undermines public faith in our judicial system, and Attorney General Garland must explain why soon," he stated. While several prominent Republicans criticised the Biden administration and defended Trump, others were more subdued as doubts lingered about the FBI's search. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declined to comment on the FBI searching Mar-a-Lago. "I'm here to discuss the flood and recovery," he remarked.

Attorney General Garland

The Republican leader demanded an explanation from Garland hours later. McConnell: "The country deserves an immediate and detailed explanation" "Attorney General Garland and the Justice Department must answer the public immediately." No one is above the law, said Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she learned about the FBI's search when it "flashed" on her phone. She said she only knows what is public.

Carolyn Maloney

Pelosi: "We believe in law" Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chair of the House Oversight Committee examining Trump's document handling, called on the Justice Department to "completely investigate" "Presidents have a solemn duty to preserve America's national security," said the New York Democrat. "Allegations that Trump mishandled sensitive information require the highest examination." Details of today's events at Mar-a-Lago are still surfacing, but the DOJ must investigate President Trump's possible misuse of secret material. Senate Republicans protested the Justice Department's action against Trump, a foe of President Joe Biden.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested Trump will likely run again in 2024 and noted the midterms are 100 days away. "It's difficult to investigate a former president so close to an election." The FBI search dominated the Florida governor contest. Ron DeSantis, a prospective 2024 Republican competitor to Trump, tweeted, "The raid of MAL is another escalation in the weaponization of government agencies against the Regime's political opponents." Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist responded, "Governor DeSantis' knee-jerk partisan response indicates he's more concerned in politics than justice or the rule of law."