Mar-a-Lago: FBI warns of increased threats after Trump search
US officials have warned of an increase in violent threats to law enforcement following the search of Donald Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.
2022-08-15 20:28:33 - VI News Staff
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a memo to law enforcement around the country.
It said there had been an "increase in violent threats posted on social media against federal officials".
The FBI search last Monday was the first time a former president's home had been searched in a criminal probe.
Eleven sets of classified files were recovered from the property in Palm Beach, according to the warrant which was later made public. Mr Trump denies wrongdoing.
"The FBI and DHS would like to ensure that law enforcement, court, and government personnel are aware of the range of threats and criminal and violent incidents," the memo - which was seen by US media including the BBC's partner CBS - read.
It added that some of the threats were "specific in identifying proposed targets, tactics, or weaponry" and also made mention of the judge who authorised the search.
The memo, which was circulated late on Friday, also noted that a man wearing body armour had been shot dead by police after attempting to breach the FBI field office in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Hours before the incident last week, the suspect posted on Truth Social - Mr Trump's social media platform - of his intent to kill federal agents.
Jeffrey Ringel, a former FBI agent in New York, told the BBC that, while many threats prove to be "bravado", they can still have a major impact on staff.
"You're always looking over your shoulder," he says. "A threat in itself causes you to stop what you're doing because you're afraid of what might happen. You're thinking: 'What if?'"
"You go and work for the FBI because it has a great reputation and you want to do good," said Marion Bowman, a former assistant general counsel who has worked for the FBI. "For the people who are there now - this must be very dispiriting."