Trump, who confirmed the raid took place to CNN, declined to say why the FBI agents were at Mar-a-Lago, but the former president said the raid was unannounced and “they even broke into my safe”.
“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.
The raid began early in the morning local time and law enforcement personnel appeared to be focused on the area of the club where Trump’s offices and personal quarters are, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Trump was not in Florida at the time of the raid.
The Justice Department declined to comment, as did the White House.
A White House official said it was not notified about the raid.
CNN has reached out to the FBI for comment.
“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in his statement.
The action comes as Trump has been laying the groundwork to make another bid for president.
The Justice Department has been investigating the discovery of boxes of records containing classified information that were taken to Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s presidency had concluded.
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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 Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.
There are multiple statutes governing classified information, including a law punishable by up to five years in prison that makes it a crime to remove such records and retain them at an unauthorised location.
Another statute makes it a crime to mishandle classified records either intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.
It was not clear whether the FBI search was connected to that probe.
A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol has also been intensifying in Washington.
