CLEVELAND — Reaction is coming in from both sides of the political aisle following news that the FBI searched former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in an investigation as to whether he took classified materials from the White House after leaving office.
“These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” Trump wrote in an online post Monday as the search was occurring. “Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”
3News has reached out to a number of politicians throughout the state of Ohio for comment. Here is a rundown of reactions we've received and seen on social media:
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13)
"No person is above the rule of law. It is my hope that this investigation delivers the accountability and justice we need to heal and move beyond this dark chapter in our country’s history."
Ryan is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate this fall. His opponent weighed in as well.
J.D. Vance, GOP candidate for U.S. Senate
"Little to add on the details of the raid on Trump's home: it is disgraceful and unprecedented. The question is what comes next. We either have Republic or we don’t. If we do, the people who’ve politicized the FBI in recent years will face investigation and prosecution."
Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14):
"The FBI must immediately provide the public with legitimate justification for this unprecedented raid on the residence of a former President. Only two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government. They fear the continued political weaponization of the DOJ, IRS, and more. Any refusal to provide transparency or accountability regarding yesterday’s raid will confirm those fears.
Neither the FBI nor the former president are above the law. However, like many of my constituents, I am skeptical that the law is being adjudicated fairly. We need answers. “No comment” does not suffice."
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09):
“In America, no one is above the law and innocence is presumed until proven otherwise. We must support law enforcement in carrying out their duties to uphold the rule of law. Justice will be served if the legal process is rigorously followed.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH-4):
"They use the Patriot Act to spy on parents at school board meetings. They approve the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents to harass Americans. And now they raid the home of a former President.
Unbelievable."
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-10):
"I am exceptionally skeptical of this being anything other than politically motivated. There are serious questions about the unprecedented FBI raid reportedly seeking classified materials from former President Trump's residence.
As the Lead Republican on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am demanding an immediate briefing by FBI Director Wray regarding the national security risk that allegedly rose to the level of ordering a raid on the residence of a former President."
Gov. Mike DeWine:
Per USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporter Jessie Balmert, DeWine was asked about the raid and gave the following response:
"Well, I don't really know a lot about it. When the FBI does or something like this, you know, they don't put out a news release, usually telling you exactly what they're doing what they're looking for.”
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH):
According to USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporter Haley BeMiller, Brown is quoted as saying: "Our law enforcement agencies pursue their work without political pressure, and politicians' threats to interfere should alarm all of us. Obtaining a search warrant from a judge requires law enforcement to present convincing evidence. For a warrant of this magnitude, that evidence would have to be strong."
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH):
According to USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau reporter Haley BeMiller, Portman is quoted as saying: "I’m not going to jump to conclusions until we learn more, but we need to be sure our justice system is never politicized. The Justice Department should be transparent, including explaining on what basis they initiated this search."
More on the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago: