Trump Seeks $100M in Damages from US Justice Department Over FBI Raid on Mar-a-Lago Estate

Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue the US Justice Department for $100 million in punitive damages.

This legal action stems from the FBI's execution of a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

The raid led to the seizure of over 100 classified documents and resulted in a 37-count felony indictment against Trump.

Trump's attorney, Daniel Epstein, filed an administrative tort claim accusing US Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray of "malicious political prosecution aimed at affecting an electoral outcome to prevent President Trump from being re-elected."

Epstein argued that Garland and Wray applied "inconsistent standards" and were guilty of a "clear dereliction of constitutional principles" when they approved the search.

"Garland and Wray should have never approved a raid and subsequent indictment of President Trump because the well-established protocol with former U.S. presidents is to use non-enforcement means to obtain records of the United States," Epstein stated.

He further added, "But notwithstanding the fact that the raid should have never occurred, Garland and Wray should have ensured their agents sought consent from President Trump, notified his lawyers, and sought cooperation."

The Justice Department has six months to respond to the claim. If no settlement is reached within this period, the case will move to federal court.

This lawsuit shows the ongoing legal battles and tensions surrounding Trump's post-presidency activities.

The FBI's raid was part of an investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith, who later lodged the 37-count felony indictment against Trump.

However, US District Judge Maryellen Noreika recently threw out the case, determining that Smith had been unconstitutionally appointed.