FBI agents raided former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to retrieve classified documents, US Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed on Thursday as he said he personally signed the warrant.
The raid focused on at least 10 boxes of documents that the National Archives said had been taken in breach of laws pertaining to presidential records.
The Washington Post reported that the FBI was attempting to recover, among other things, classified documents relating to nuclear weapons.
“I personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant,” Mr Garland said at a news conference on Thursday shortly after he requested a judge unseal the warrant to make it public.
The department has come under heavy criticism from Republicans after the FBI conducted a search at Mr Trump's sprawling Florida estate earlier this week.
The search warrant was approved by the court on August 5, three days before the raid, the docket states.
The Justice Department filed the request to unseal the warrant after Mr Trump's public confirmation of the search and the “substantial public interest in this matter”, Mr Garland said.
The attorney general also condemned the “unfounded attacks” on the department's integrity that were lobbied against its agents after the FBI raid.
“I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked,” he said.
“They protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights.”
The former president slammed the raid as a “weaponisation of the justice system” and as a politically motivated move by President Joe Biden, though the White House said Mr Biden was not given advanced notice of the raid and that he respected the department's independence.
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Supporters of former US president Donald Trump gather outside his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, after he said FBI agents raided it. Reuters -

A supporter of Mr Trump holds a flag and an old newspaper outside the former president's Mar-a-Lago home. Reuters -

The FBI searched the estate as part of an investigation into whether the former US leader took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence. The Palm Beach Post / AP -

Despite the January 6 hearings and an FBI raid, some still believe that Mr Trump won the 2020 election. AFP -

Supporters gathered outside Mar-a-Lago in Florida as it was was being searched by FBI agents in what Mr Trump called an act of 'prosecutorial misconduct'. AFP -

Trump supporters in Palm Beach, Florida outside Mar-a-Lago on Monday night. Reuters -

It is claimed that the former US president took documents from the White House and disposed of them at Mar-a-Lago. AFP -

Mr Trump was in New York when the search took place. Reuters -

Mr Trump alleges that no other president has been subjected to such treatment. AFP -

A member of the far-right Proud Boys group outside Mar-a-Lago. Reuters -

Mr Trump compared the FBI raid to Watergate. AFP
Republicans, hurrying to the former president's defence, launched complaints against the Justice Department. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to launch an investigation of the department if the party won control of the lower chamber of Congress later this year.
Writing directly to Mr Garland, he said “preserve your documents and clear your calendar”.
FBI Director Christopher Wray earlier slammed the “deplorable and dangerous” threats issued against law enforcement officials by Trump supporters.
Mr Wray declined to comment on the raid during a news conference in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday.
FBI agents also seized the phone of Trump ally Scott Perry, the Republican congressman said. Mr Perry did not reveal why the device was confiscated.
Donald Trump supporters outside Mar-A-Lago - in pictures
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Supporters of former US president Donald Trump protest against the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. South Florida Sun-Sentinel / AP -

Trump supporters demonstrate outside Mar-a-Lago. Bloomberg -

Trump supporters wave flags and hold signs outside Mar-a-Lago after the FBI carried out a search warrant at the former president's residence. EPA -

Mr Trump is facing intensified legal and political pressure after FBI agents searched his Florida home to investigate whether he took classified documents from the White House when he left office. Bloomberg -

Supporters of Mr Trump demonstrate outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Bloomberg -

A Trump supporter waves a flag outside Mar-a-Lago. Bloomberg -

A Trump supporter drives past the former president's estate. AP -

Trump supporters, members of the media and law enforcement gather near Mar-a-Lago. The Palm Beach Post / AP -

A flag flies in the air near former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. AP -

A Trump supporter holds the Betsy Ross flag at a gathering outside the former president's Mar-a-Lago home. Reuters
While you're here
The National Editorial: Fawzia Koofi's shooting reminds us who the Taliban really are
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
CREW
While you're here
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While you're here
Sholto Byrnes: Here's how this century can still belong to Asia
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The National Editorial: Territorial disputes require a mediator
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
While you're here
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Whiile you're here
Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal
Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?
Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
COMPANY PROFILE
The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
NEW ARRIVALS
Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m
more from Janine di Giovanni
Schedule
RESULTS
THREE
While you're here
Michael Goldfarb: This 9/11, America's greatest threats are from within
Rashmee Roshan Lall: US race relations described in three words
Professor with perfect prediction record forecasts Trump defeat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
Plastic tipping point
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5


