# FBI Search and Seizure at Trump's Mar-A-Lago Residence, August 8, 2022, Case Dismissed July 15, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 8, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329 "2022-08-08T23:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 221
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4401 "2023-01-20T01:15:30Z")
I wouldn’t be shocked if it was prosecute Biden only. Garland is like a referee who is intimidated by the crowd and won’t make the touch calls against the home team or go against the people who cry foul the loudest. I have no problem with prosecuting Biden if he deserves it, and screw the principle that sitting presidents can’t be charged. I have no faith that justice will come to Donnie if for no other reason than his lunkhead cult will burn the country down if it does. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4402 "2023-01-20T02:07:20Z")
I don’t believe Jack smith is. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4403 "2023-01-20T12:52:12Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > I say, if Biden needs to be prosecuted, do it. > > Seriously. Is anyone saying anything else? Yes, actually. It’s not clear whether a sitting president _can_ be prosecuted constitutionally, or whether he can pardon himself. Any prosecution of Biden might need to wait until he is no longer president. Then, there’s “prudential” reasons for not prosecuting somebody in or recently out of the Oval Office. The justice department is not bound to prosecute every crime that’s committed any more than your local police force is required to protect you, and they may simply decide either or both prosecutions are just not a good idea. Personally, I think Trump should be prosecuted for the obstruction only (unless they can show the original taking was intentional and malicious which I think is a big lift) and that we need far more facts on the Biden documents before we could say one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4404 "2023-01-20T16:21:30Z")
That’s what I was just thinking. If it gets rid of the stupid rule that sitting presidents can’t be prosecuted, I’d be all for prosecuting Biden. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4405 "2023-01-20T16:36:44Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Two wrongs don’t make a right Biden, Harris, and Pelosi do. 😉 Three lefts, y’know. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4406 "2023-01-20T16:45:54Z")
I don’t think they should be investigating Biden, much less prosecuting him. If Trump had returned all documents as soon as he was aware they were in his possession, I don’t believe he would’ve been investigated, much less prosecuted. And I don’t believe in double standards. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4407 "2023-01-20T17:42:16Z")
🥁 _ **RIMSHOT!** _ Don’t forget to tip your waiter! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4408 "2023-01-20T17:44:41Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I don’t think they should be investigating Biden, much less prosecuting him. Fair enough. You don’t need to investigate Biden, just investigate what led to documents being left where they shouldn’t and figure out how it happened and what you can do to try to prevent that from happening again. If any laws were broken, figure out who did, and prosecute per the law. If that leads to Biden so be it. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4409 "2023-01-20T17:52:39Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > If Trump had returned all documents as soon as he was aware they were in his possession, I don’t believe he would’ve been investigated, much less prosecuted. And I don’t believe in double standards. And do you think, if it played out that way, that Trump wouldn’t still be calling for Biden to be raided and investigated and impeached and prosecuted and jailed and excommunicated and anything else he can think of? Maybe try to get him sent to Elba or Australia? I do. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4410 "2023-01-20T17:56:32Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Maybe try to get him sent to Elba or Australia? Two places I’d rather be than Florida. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4411 "2023-01-20T17:57:48Z")
Yes, I do, but I don’t see why Biden’s DOJ needs to pander to Trump’s gaslighting and lies. They’re playing right into his strategy. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2023, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4412 "2023-01-21T04:27:44Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > Personally, I think Trump should be prosecuted for the obstruction only (unless they can show the original taking was intentional and malicious which I think is a big lift) and that we need far more facts on the Biden documents before we could say one way or the other. I disagree here - 18USC 793 says it’s a crime to have knowledge that a document was removed from its proper place and to fail to promptly report it. Trump’s actions in this regard are a clear violation, and section 793(f) has resulted in quite a few convictions for actions far less egregious that Trump’s. For what Biden apparently did, it’s not breaking this law. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4413 "2023-01-21T18:01:29Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I have no faith that justice will come to Donnie if for no other reason than **his lunkhead cult will burn the country down if it does**. Let 'em try. I’m sure the armed forces can use the target practice. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4414 "2023-01-22T13:19:40Z")
Agree. We need to stop pussy footing around with these idiot traitors. At the very least they need very long prison sentences. Start with Trump, and let the chips fall where they may. They have proven that they are idiots. Time and time again. I don’t think things will work out very well for them. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4415 "2023-01-23T09:02:00Z")
I certainly hope Trump gets prosecuted for this, but if he doesn’t, _as long as he gets prosecuted_ for Jan 6 and his other many crimes, it’s ok. The only bad thing if he doesn’t get prosecuted for the classified documents would be that it sets a precedent for other Presidents to do the same. But I don’t think that is an issue. Anyone running for President from now on, who has ever had any classified documents in their possession, will have their lawyers do a thorough search. If you are a Republican running, you simply cannot have that discovery made. Just like from now on, I don’t think anyone will try to run for President without releasing their tax returns. Call me a cockeyed optimist, something that I have never been called before now. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4416 "2023-01-23T18:11:05Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > I disagree here - 18USC 793 says it’s a crime to have knowledge that a document was removed from its proper place and to fail to promptly report it. Trump’s actions in this regard are a clear violation, and section 793(f) has resulted in quite a few convictions for actions far less egregious that Trump’s. Sure, that too. The point is that unintentionally taking these documents probably shouldn’t be prosecuted in either case. Only what comes after. > [@CurtC](#): > > For what Biden apparently did, it’s not breaking this law. So far as we know, but we still mostly only have Biden’s and his lawyers word on that. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2023, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4417 "2023-01-23T23:53:52Z")
> [@tofor](#): > > So far as we know, but we still mostly only have Biden’s and his lawyers word on that. Plus the lack of any searches and seizures of Biden’s places by the FBI. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4418 "2023-01-24T01:18:01Z")
I’m curious if anyone from the media has been actively watching his place(s). It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that they have searched it, either with a warrant or he invited them as a good faith effort to find anything he’s missed and/or show he no longer has anything. As unlikely as it is, at least based on what we know, if he cooperated with them or it was planned with him, very possibly wouldn’t be a media circus. Remember, the only reason we knew about Trump’s search was because the DOJ told him it was about to happen and he [Trump] announced it. If Biden’s places were to get searched and he got the same ‘we won’t tell if you don’t’ treatment, we probably wouldn’t know about it until after the fact. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4419 "2023-01-24T04:42:39Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that they have searched it, either with a warrant or he invited them as a good faith effort to find anything he’s missed and/or show he no longer has anything. The documents that were in the news today (Monday the 23rd) were found by the FBI searching his house. I guess we don’t know if it was a search warrant or he invited them in. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4420 "2023-01-24T04:48:39Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > The only bad thing if he doesn’t get prosecuted for the classified documents would be that it sets a precedent for other Presidents to do the same. Trump’s a private citizen. Not prosecuting him would set a precedent for anyone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329.md?page=220) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329.md?page=222)