On August 8, 2022, the FBI conducted a historically significant raid at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The unexpected raid on Trump’s house, according to a statement he issued, “was not necessary nor acceptable.” However, according to CNN, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the Department of Justice asked the court to unseal and make public the search warrant for Trump’s residence. Garland said that “personal approval” had been given for the decision to apply for a search warrant in this case.
Prior to the FBI raid, it seems that the DOJ had received information regarding possible wrongdoings by Trump. “A witness informed investigators that there could be more sensitive materials at Mar-a-Lago as discussions between the FBI and Trump’s attorneys worsened between June and August. DOJ officials started to be sceptical of Trump’s staff “Sadie Gurman of the Wall Street Journal tweeted.
Now, others are making assumptions about the identity of the FBI informant, including conservative attorney George Conway, who quoted Gurman’s remarks and posed the question, “Who is CI-1?”
According to Newsweek, an informant informed the FBI about the illegal materials that Donald Trump had brought to Mar-a-Lago. According to a source who spoke to Newsweek, “the material has to be substantial in order for the investigators to persuade the Florida court to sanction such a remarkable raid.”
Former FBI agent Peter Strzok tweeted, “So much paranoia in a mole investigation, no one to trust, so much to do, so much to lose, so many walls closing in so quickly.” He referred to Melania Trump in his last tweet by saying, “…also, may be Melanie,” which was a startling suggestion. However, there is yet no proof that the former first lady gave the FBI a tip.
Other Trump family members are being considered by some as possible informants. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump seem to be distancing themselves from the former president, according to The Independent.
According to Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, a conservative PAC opposed to Trump, “I think there were a lot of stories a few weeks ago about Jared and Ivanka trying to back away from Trump and trying to start their own brand, in essence breaking off from Trump and pulling away from the Trump orbit.”
It’s uncertain when — or if — we will find out who the FBI’s informant was as fear and rumours spread.
