Trump sues DOJ over Mar-a-Lago raid

Former President Donald Trump is preparing to file a $100 million lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming "political persecution" following the FBI's raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate on August 8, 2022. Trump's attorney, Daniel Epstein, alleges that the raid constituted "tortious conduct" by the government, including intrusion upon seclusion, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process. The raid was part of a federal investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents, which led to 40 felony charges against him, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. The lawsuit comes after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case against Trump, ruling that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unlawful. Smith is currently appealing this decision. Epstein argues that the actions taken by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray deviated from established protocols for handling former presidents, which typically involve non-enforcement methods to retrieve documents. Epstein's memo contends that the raid violated Trump's constitutional rights and Florida law, asserting that the FBI's actions were inconsistent with standard procedures for searches. He claims that the legal battles stemming from the raid have caused Trump significant financial harm, estimating $15 million in legal costs. The Justice Department has 180 days to respond to the lawsuit before it proceeds to federal court. Trump's legal team emphasizes that this lawsuit is not only about defending the former president but also about upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Americans against government overreach.