Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has condemned the FBI’s recent raid on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, saying the decision “seems political” in nature.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Yang, 47, wrote that although he is “no Trump fan,” the raid on the former U.S. president’s Palm Beach residence could be viewed as “unjust persecution” by millions of Americans.
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“I’m no Trump fan. I want him as far away from the White House as possible. But a fundamental part of his appeal has been that it’s him against a corrupt government establishment. This raid strengthens that case for millions of Americans who will see this as unjust persecution,” Yang wrote.
“It seems like this was authorized by a local judge and a particular FBI office without buy-in or notification of higher levels of government,” the former presidential candidate added in a follow-up tweet. “But literally no one will believe that or make a distinction. It’s probably bureaucratic but it seems political.”
Trump’s residence was raided on Monday in connection with the Department of Justice’s investigation based on the National Archives’ claims made in February that it had found 15 boxes of records, including classified materials, in Mar-a-Lago.
Citing two unnamed sources, CBS News noted that FBI agents only took boxes and documents and did not appear to have taken any electronics from the property during Monday’s raid.
“Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before. After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in a recent statement, adding that the agents also broke into his safe.
Speaking to TMZ Live on Wednesday, Yang, who leads the Forward Party, said that if the FBI does not uncover any “really strong” evidence against Trump, the recent raid will look like a political attack on the former president. Furthermore, Yang said that Monday’s raid could also help bolster Trump’s chances of becoming a GOP nominee for the 2024 election and go against President Biden.
Featured Image via TMZ (left), FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul (right)
