Some Justice Department officials believe the agency should issue a public statement concerning the unusual search of former President Donald Trump's house and club in Florida; However, this sentiment failed to influence the top leadership.
CNN reported that the Department of Justice's public statements about the probes, particularly the extensive criminal investigation that began on January 6 and anything involving Trump, has been strictly controlled by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
According to those aware of the situation, part of the reason the FBI searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago property on Monday as part of a criminal investigation into the handling of classified information was to prevent a spectacle.
Around 10 a.m., agents began to show up. ET was dressed in civilian clothing, not in the wee hours, and he was wearing a jacket with the FBI logo that was typical of searches. At the time, Trump was in New York.
Then Trump made a public statement describing the hours-long search as a "siege."
To explain his silence on the issue, Garland cited both the department's general policy of not commenting and the fact that it is part of a plan to safeguard the investigation by not allowing possible targets to be aware of the Justice Department's steps.
He has also stressed the significance of protecting the rights of those who have not yet been charged from trial by publicity before the Justice Department files a case against them.
Law Enforcement Receives Threats
The argument that the silence is damaging to the department's and the public's interests, however, has been made internally by some Justice and FBI officials, in part because Trump and his supporters have filled the hole.
On Wednesday, queries about Trump's claim that the FBI may have planted evidence during the search and threats against agents were directed at FBI Director Chris Wray in Omaha.
Wray, a Trump appointee from 2018, said that he cannot answer Trump's allegation and referred the questions to the department.
On the issue of threats, he commented: "I will say that I am always concerned about violence and threats of violence against law enforcement. Any threats made against law enforcement, inducing the men and women of the FBI, as with any law enforcement agency, are deplorable and dangerous."
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As a result of the FBI raid on Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday, law enforcement agencies around the nation are aggressively monitoring threats and statements that have surfaced online.
Law enforcement sources stated that agencies are also preparing for any acts of violence that they believe may occur at or close to the pro-Trump rallies that some followers are pushing for, according to ABC News.
Trump Declines To Answer NY Attorney General Inquiry
Former President Donald Trump has declined to respond to inquiries regarding his family's business practices as part of a New York state investigation.
To prevent the interview at the New York Attorney General's office on Wednesday, Trump has filed a lawsuit.
State authorities charge the Trump Organization of misleading them about the worth of its properties to obtain advantageous loans and tax benefits,
Trump has termed the civil investigation a witch hunt and has denied any misconduct.
After being photographed arriving at the Manhattan location where he was questioned under oath, Trump issued a statement in which he criticized Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, and the inquiry as a whole.
Trump said: "Years of work and tens of millions of dollars have been spent on this long-simmering saga and to no avail. I declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution."
The interview transpired on Wednesday, according to James' office, and Trump asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, which prevents individuals from being forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case.
"Attorney General James will pursue the facts and the law wherever they may lead. Our investigation continues," per the statement.
Legal experts believe Trump opted not to answer questions on Wednesday because his responses could have been used against him in that criminal investigation, BBC reported.
