Trump has condemned Monday's raid as politically motivated and a"weaponisation" of the Justice Department.In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump said his attorneys had been"cooperating fully" and"the government could have had whatever they wanted, if we had it."
"And then, out of nowhere and with no warning, Mar-a-Lago was raided at 6.30 in the morning," he said, adding that agents even"went through the First Lady's closets and rummaged through her clothing and personal items."Garland criticised"unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department agents and prosecutors" following the raid.
"I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked," he said."Men and women of the FBI and the Justice Department are dedicated patriotic public servants."US police were engaged inin Cincinnati, Ohio, although there was no immediate indication the event was linked to the raid on Trump's home.
The Justice Departmant typically does not confirm or deny whether it is investigating someone. Garland, a former prosecutor and judge who has a reputation as a stickler for protocol, took pains to emphasise the law was being applied fairly. "Faithful adherence to the rule of law is the bedrock principle of the Justice Department and of our democracy," he said."Holding the rule of law means applying the law evenly without fear or favour."