FBI executes unprecedented search warrant at Mar-a-Lago for classified documents

The FBI executed a court-authorized search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, marking the first time in American history that federal law enforcement searched a former president's residence. The search recovered over 100 classified documents, including materials marked top secret, from Trump's office and storage room. The search came after months of back-and-forth: the National Archives had recovered over 150 classified documents from Trump in January 2022, and Trump's legal team certified in June 2022 that all remaining classified materials had been returned—a claim the DOJ had evidence was false. The search revealed Trump had retained sensitive national security information despite repeated government requests and a subpoena. The unprecedented action immediately triggered political firestorm with Trump and allies attacking the FBI and DOJ.