Donald Trump Says Mar-a-Lago Home Raided by FBI Agents

Search was part of an investigation into former president’s handling of official records, people familiar with the matter said

Former US President Donald Trump said on Monday that his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, was raided by FBI agents.

Mr Trump did not say why the raid took place and the circumstances remain unclear.

"These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents," he said in a statement posted on his Truth Social network.

"After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate.

"They even broke into my safe."

The Justice Department has been investigating the discovery of boxes of records containing classified information that were taken to Mar-a-Lago after Mr Trump's presidency had concluded.

That matter was referred to the Justice Department by the National Archives and Records Administration, which said it had found classified material in 15 boxes at the residence.

Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorised locations, though it is possible that Mr Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.

It was not clear whether the FBI search was connected to that probe.