Just The News reported that former President Donald Trump announced plans to sue the Justice Department for $100 million, claiming the FBI's 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid was politically motivated and violated his constitutional rights.
The Justice Department's actions stem from an FBI raid on August 8, 2022, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida. This raid was part of a federal investigation into Trump’s supposed improper retention of classified documents following his departure from the White House. The investigation led to 37 felony charges against Trump, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all the charges levied against him. Special Counsel Jack Smith, assigned after the raid to ensure an impartial investigation, faced significant legal opposition. Eventually, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case brought by Smith, ruling that both his appointment and the funding of his office violated the Appointments Clause in the Constitution.
Trump's attorney, Daniel Epstein, filed the notice of intent to sue the DOJ. The Justice Department now has 180 days from the receipt of Epstein's notice to respond and reach a resolution, or the case will proceed to federal court in the Southern District of Florida.
Epstein's filing accuses the DOJ and FBI of multiple acts of "tortious conduct," including intrusion upon seclusion, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process. Epstein alleges that decisions by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray were politically charged and violated constitutional guidelines. He claims they bypassed established protocols that are mandatory during investigations, such as seeking consent from Trump, notifying his attorneys, and using the local U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Epstein asserts that the DOJ’s actions have caused Trump $15 million in actual harm due to legal costs and emotional distress. Additionally, he seeks punitive damages totaling $100 million for Trump. Epstein emphasized that his mission is broader than defending Trump; it aims to uphold the rule of law for all Americans.
"What President Trump is doing here is not just standing up for himself – he is standing up for all Americans who believe in the rule of law and believe that you should hold the government accountable when it wrongs you," Epstein told Fox Business' Lydia Hu.
Epstein argued that Garland and Wray's decisions showed a "clear intent to engage in political persecution – not to advance good law enforcement practices." He described the raid's execution as "inconsistent with protocols requiring the consent of an investigative target, disclosure to that individual’s attorneys, and the use of the local U.S. Attorney’s Office."
Trump's legal submission emphasizes his expectation of privacy at Mar-a-Lago, arguing that the FBI's actions were not in line with standard procedures for searching an investigative target's premises. Epstein also criticized the special counsel’s office for issuing what he described as a "lawless criminal indictment" against Trump.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. However, Epstein insists that the matter transcends individual grievances and involves holding the government accountable for its actions. "If someone doesn't stand against that in a very public way and seek to obtain and protect their rights, then the government will have a mandate to roughshod over every American," Epstein stated.
Epstein's remarks also highlighted the timing of the investigation, hinting at its political implications. He characterized the case as "very accurate and precise election interference," suggesting that the entire special counsel investigation aimed to hinder Trump’s potential 2024 presidential campaign. "The entire special counsel investigation was about interfering with his ability to get elected," he remarked.
The upcoming months will be crucial in determining the future course of this high-profile legal battle. Should the Justice Department fail to respond to the notice within the stipulated period, the lawsuit will proceed to federal court in the Southern District of Florida.
Trump’s lawsuit against the DOJ accuses the department and the FBI of politically biased actions, infringing on his constitutional rights during the Mar-a-Lago raid. His legal team, led by Daniel Epstein, is pushing for $100 million in damages, spotlighting the alleged deviation from standard procedures and the perceived political motivations behind the investigation. The lawsuit could redefine the boundaries of executive power and governmental accountability.
