# 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:** 229
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4561 "2023-02-17T14:41:54Z")
Certainly no sign of ruthless efficiency. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4562 "2023-02-17T16:46:01Z")
Fear and surprise! fear and surprise and a fanatical devotion to J. Edgard Hoover! ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4563 "2023-02-18T05:03:26Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [Police Raid.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_raid) > > > [@](#): > > > > A **police raid** is an unexpected visit by [police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police) or other [law-enforcement officers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_enforcement_officers) with the aim of using the element of surprise in order to seize evidence or arrest suspects believed to be likely to hide evidence, resist arrest, be politically sensitive, or simply be elsewhere during the day. > > It was a raid. Why do you object to the word? Because of the definition you just cited: a raid is unexpected using the element of surprise. The FBI gave several hours’ notice that they were coming over. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4564 "2023-02-18T16:02:03Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > The FBI gave several hours’ notice that they were coming over. As I understand it, they gave notice to the secret service. The Trumps were surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4565 "2023-02-18T17:30:24Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The Trumps were surprised. Are you taking his word for it? I can’t immediately think of any reason that that might be unwise, but I’m sure it will come to me. Trump wasn’t there, but there’s no way his Secret Service detail didn’t give him a heads up. Trump and others watched it remotely through security cams to some extent at least. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4566 "2023-02-18T17:37:51Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > As I understand it, they gave notice to the secret service. The Trumps were surprised. Didn’t they also specifically wait until he was out of town to do it? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4567 "2023-02-18T17:40:52Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > There was no “raid”. Stop calling it that. It was an execution of a duly authorized search warrant. Y’know, there’s a single common English word for that. Of course it was a raid. That’s what the police do. There’s nothing wrong with it. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > This isn’t the Pit so I’ll make no personal comment. But in view of all that is known about Donald Trump, I am amazed that there are still people typing things like this (and obviously there are, for whatever reasons). Being rich and powerful is, indeed, his brand. He just really, really sucks at branding. > [@CurtC](#): > > Because of the definition you just cited: a raid is unexpected using the element of surprise. The FBI gave several hours’ notice that they were coming over. That would be an absolutely idiotic thing to do. I have no reason to believe that the FBI is that idiotic. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4568 "2023-02-18T17:54:40Z")
Let’s get some actual factual information into this discussion: > **[What We Do and Don’t Know About the FBI’s Mar-a-Lago Search](https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-we-do-and-dont-know-about-fbis-mar-lago-search)** > > The FBI’s surprise search of former President Trump’s residence has raised unanswered questions and engendered wide speculation. Here is a guide for the perplexed. From the article: > The Secret Service was reportedly [notified](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-mar-lago-home-was-raided-large-group-fbi-agents-rcna42133) several hours before the warrant was served around [10:00 a.m.](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62472908) local time, and Trump’s security detail assisted the investigators by facilitating access to the property. The search reportedly lasted most of the day, [concluding](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62472908) by late afternoon. The federal agents appeared to focus their search on the area of Mar-a-Lago in which Trump’s offices and personal quarters are located, [according to](https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/08/politics/mar-a-lago-search-warrant-fbi-donald-trump/index.html) CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4569 "2023-02-18T21:04:05Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@CurtC](#): > > > > The FBI gave several hours’ notice that they were coming over. > > That would be an absolutely idiotic thing to do. I have no reason to believe that the FBI is that idiotic. I think it’s a sensible thing to do. The ex-President has s Secret Service detail to protect him. If a bunch of people just suddenly attack the property they just might start shooting. Absolutely best to make sure they know that this really is the FBI. They would be forbidden to warn Trump before the raid. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4570 "2023-02-18T21:45:46Z")
Coordinating with law enforcement agents who are already on the scene absolutely makes sense. But that’s not the same thing as giving notice to the target of the raid. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4571 "2023-02-18T22:18:15Z")
They didn’t give notice to the target. They gave notice to his bodyguards. Doubtless with instructions that they are forbidden to inform the target. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4572 "2023-02-18T22:21:03Z")
And then the bodyguards certainly gave notice to the target. It’s ridiculous to assume that they did not. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4573 "2023-02-18T22:28:18Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Doubtless with instructions that they are forbidden to inform the target. “Forbidden”? By whom? So far as I know, no one would have the authority to do that. If you have something you can point to that demonstrates the contrary, I’d be happy to read it. It’s a moot point, because the FBI _did_ choose a date when Trump was not at Mar-A-Lago. I believe that was done intentionally, so he couldn’t rush back and interfere with the search. I have also read in several news sources that Trump watched the raid via some sort of camera feed. So he was obviously made aware that the search was taking place. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4574 "2023-02-18T22:28:21Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > And then the bodyguards certainly gave notice to the target. > > It’s ridiculous to assume that they did not. I think they would have been under orders not to tell the target. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4575 "2023-02-18T22:37:01Z")
They may have been told not to tell the target. Nevertheless they certainly told the target. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4576 "2023-02-18T23:02:00Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I think they would have been under orders not to tell the target. I don’t know who could have ordered them, expect perhaps the President. (who says he had no involvement) The FBI is part of the Justice Department. The Secret Service is part of Homeland Security. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4577 "2023-02-18T23:18:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Being rich and powerful is, indeed, his brand. He just really, really sucks at branding. Agreed. But that’s a point too subtle for those fans _still_ (!) trying to sell the idea that Trump has spent his life as a successful businessman (and of course that _ **is** _ what they are trying to do). The only real success Trump ever had came from outside forces handing him cash: his father, both before and after the father’s death; Mark Burnett, presumably because Burnett believed enriching Trump would enrich himself, too; and oligarchs following the instructions of Russian and Saudi regimes that believed that owning a potential US President was worth some investment. Making money himself, other than by selling his own infamy (names on buildings or non-existent ‘collectors’ cards)? It never happened. And likely never will. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4578 "2023-02-18T23:37:06Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > And then the bodyguards certainly gave notice to the target. > > It’s ridiculous to assume that they did not. Why on Earth would they do that? They don’t work for him, and they don’t have any particular personal loyalty to him. They work for the government, the same government that was responsible for the raid. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4579 "2023-02-18T23:43:39Z")
In an ideal world that is true. But we live in a world where Mike Pence didn’t trust his own Secret Service detail to not to whisk him off to ‘Alaska’ on January 6. And where the deputy assistant director of the Secret Service took a leave of absence to be White House Deputy Chief of Staff for a bit until he returned to the Secret Service to be assistant director of the office of training until he retired. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-search-and-seizure-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-residence-august-8-2022-case-dismissed-july-15-2024/969329/4580 "2023-02-19T00:21:44Z")
Trump was **not** warned ahead of time. My evidence is the fact that he didn’t say anything until it was already underway. He would not be able to keep his mouth shut, he would be whining about being persecuted earlier if he knew before. [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=228) [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=230)