The raid at the former President Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago resort prompted social media outrage from Congressional Republicans and Trump’s allies. Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley went to Twitter to call for the impeachment of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The raid was called by many Republicans, and even some Democrats, an unprecedented attack with political motivations on a potential presidential candidate. Senator Josh Hawley called for the FBI to be completely reformed and for Garland’s impeachment.
WATCH Hawley call out Garland and Biden:
Hawley said on Twitter “The raid by Joe Biden’s FBI on the home of a former president who is also Biden’s chief political opponent is an unprecedented assault on democratic norms and the rule of law,” and that “Biden has taken our republic into dangerous waters.” “At a minimum, Garland must resign or be impeached. The search warrant must be published. Christoper Wray must be removed. And the FBI reformed top to bottom,” he added.
Anthony Sabatini, Republican Florida State Rep., called for the arrest of FBI agents that conduct law enforcement outside Florida’s purview, as well as calling to sever ties with the Department of Justice. Sabatini said legislators have to pressure the FBI and limit local agencies’ cooperation with the bureau, instead requiring them to seek permission from the state before doing any sort of operations in Florida. The raid at Mar-a-Lago was considered an abuse of power by many Republicans. “That’s just at the state level. At the federal level they need to be totally gutted and cut down,” said Sabatini. “We need to be put it as much pressure on them as possible.”
Senator Rick Scott, another Florida Republican tweeted: “The @FBI’s raid of Mar-a-Lago is incredibly concerning, especially given the Biden admin’s history of going after parents & other political opponents,” adding “This is 3rd World country stuff. We need answers NOW. The FBI must explain what they were doing today & why.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland was warned by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to be prepared to answer some questions. Many House Republicans also criticized the raid.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said on Twitter that “The FBI’s raid on President Trump’s Florida home is a dark day in American history.” “The political weaponization of the FBI and Department of Justice is an actual threat to democracy. There is a reason that Americans no longer trust these agencies,” she added.
Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas shared his thoughts on the raid on his Twitter account, saying “This is an absolutely incredible move by the DOJ to pursue, harass and now invade the former President’s home, who had the authority to declassify documents.” He also asked for calm in the wake of the raid. “To Republicans and Libertarians of good conscience: Do not let this lawless government provoke violence,” he stated, ending his plea with “We have seen this before.”
After the raid at former President Donald Trump’s residence, some of his allies reportedly urged him to announce his presidential run in 2024, as per Daily Caller.