Former First Lady Melania Trump posted a video on her X account Saturday morning, strongly criticizing the FBI for its 2022 raid on her Mar-a-Lago home, calling it a “warning to all Americans.”
https://t.co/ZCTwZSqZND pic.twitter.com/RxGQPFGZP3
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) September 14, 2024
“I never imagined my privacy would be invaded by the government here in America,” she said in the video. “The FBI raided my home in Florida and searched through my personal belongings.”
She added, “This is not just my story, it serves as a warning to all Americans, a reminder that our freedom and rights must be respected.”
Her husband, former President Donald Trump, plans to sue the Department of Justice for $100 million in damages, claiming the raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate was carried out with “clear intent to engage in political persecution.”
Trump and his legal team are preparing to sue the DOJ for its actions during the August 8, 2022, FBI raid, which was part of the federal investigation into his alleged mishandling of classified documents.
“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 that the government should be held accountable when it oversteps,” said Trump attorney Daniel Epstein in a statement to FOX Business’ Lydia Hu.
Epstein criticized the DOJ and FBI for decisions “inconsistent with protocols requiring the consent of an investigative target, disclosure to that individual’s attorneys, and the involvement of the local U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
He also argued that the decisions by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray were not based on “social, economic, or political policy,” but rather a “clear dereliction of constitutional principles” and a “deliberate attempt at political persecution.”
Epstein further noted, “The FBI’s actions in the raid were inconsistent with protocols used in standard searches, and Trump had a reasonable expectation of privacy at Mar-a-Lago. The FBI’s conduct, violating established procedures, was a severe and unjustified intrusion that would offend any reasonable person.”
Epstein is seeking $100 million in punitive damages for President Trump.
This video is the second in a series of recent posts promoting Melania Trump’s upcoming memoir, Melania. The book, available for pre-order ahead of its October 1 release, promises to detail “the powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has overcome adversity and carved her own path.” The memoir will include personal stories and never-before-seen images.
In a previous video posted on Tuesday, Melania raised concerns about the July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump. “The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” she said. “Now, the silence around it feels heavy.”
She continued, “I can’t help but wonder, why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech? There is definitely more to this story, and we need to uncover the truth.”
Following the assassination attempt, Mrs. Trump called for the country to “reunite” and urged for courage and common sense to “bring us back together as one.”
She referred to the shooter as “a monster who saw my husband as an inhuman political machine” and said his goal was to “drain Donald’s passion—his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”
Reflecting on that moment, she shared, “When I saw that violent bullet strike Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the edge of a devastating change.”
Melania’s memoir, according to her, has been “an incredible journey filled with emotional highs and lows,” as she told Fox News Digital. “Each story shaped me into who I am today.” She added, “Though daunting at times, the process was incredibly rewarding, reminding me of my strength and the beauty of sharing my truth.”