FBI Spied on Trump Family Before Mar-a-Lago Raid
New documents reveal FBI’s extensive surveillance of Trump’s family and allies ahead of the 2022 raid.
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Former Attorney General Merrick Garland authorized an FBI investigation into President Donald Trump even as concerns arose that it could disrupt the democratic process, according to newly released unclassified documents. The probe, known as ‘Plasmic Echo,’ involved monitoring the phone records of Susie Wiles and tracking the movements of Melania and Barron Trump. These actions eventually led to the FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home on August 8, 2022, on allegations of mishandling classified documents.
FBI Surveillance and Coordination
The Plasmic Echo documents reveal the coordination between the Justice Department and the FBI in the months leading up to the raid. The operation included extensive tracking of Wiles, who became White House chief of staff after Trump’s 2024 election victory. A memo from former FBI Director Christopher Wray to Garland emphasized the need for attorney general approval for investigations involving presidents and their staff, noting that such matters should be closely monitored to prevent disruptions to the democratic process.
Surveillance Continues After the Raid
After the raid, the FBI continued its surveillance, collecting data on Wiles’ phone calls and text messages from February to May 2023. The bureau recorded details such as the frequency of calls, the identity of callers, and the content of messages. The raid occurred just months before Trump announced his presidential candidacy in November 2022.
Legal and Political Reactions
Garland later appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the case against Trump. Smith dropped the case after Trump’s 2024 election win. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis condemned the surveillance as a ‘disgraceful abuse of government power,’ calling it the ‘weaponization of law enforcement.’ She urged accountability for those involved in the operation.
Source: Daily Wire
