Florida – Republicans continue to push unfounded allegations about an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Leading the charge is Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has repeatedly claimed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI were plotting to kill Trump during the August 2022 raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate. Despite these allegations being debunked, they persist as a rallying cry among Trump’s staunchest supporters.
Greene’s Controversial Claims
Marjorie Taylor Greene, in an interview on Real America with Dan Hall, made the sensational claim that “Merrick Garland basically issued a kill order for President Trump.” Greene has consistently argued that the raid on Mar-a-Lago should never have occurred because “Donald J. Trump is a former president of the United States and the Republican candidate for president this year.” Greene’s proposed solution to this perceived injustice is to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Greene’s statements were amplified by fellow Trump supporter, Representative Lauren Boebert, who echoed similar sentiments on social media. Boebert suggested that the authorization of deadly force during the raid was an assassination attempt on Trump’s life.
The Mar-a-Lago Raid
The raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was conducted by the FBI to recover classified documents that Trump had allegedly taken from the White House after his presidency ended in January 2021. Trump faces 40 felony charges related to these documents, including obstruction of justice and unlawful retention of national defense information. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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Trump himself has contributed to the conspiracy theories, posting on his Truth Social platform that the DOJ had authorized the FBI to use deadly force during the raid. He characterized this authorization as part of an “Illegal and Unconstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago” and called President Joe Biden “A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY,” suggesting that Biden should be removed from office via the 25th Amendment.
FBI’s Standard Protocol
Despite these dramatic claims, the FBI has clarified that the reference to the use of deadly force during the Mar-a-Lago raid is part of their standard operating procedure. A court filing unsealed in connection with the raid stated, “Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary.” The FBI reiterated that “no one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland has also refuted the assassination allegations, calling them “false” and “extremely dangerous.” He emphasized that the same standard protocol was followed during a search of President Joe Biden’s Delaware home during a separate investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents.
Political Implications
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s calls for Garland’s impeachment reflect a broader strategy within the GOP to leverage sensational claims and target high-profile Democrats. But, this is not the first time MTG called for Garland’s impeachment.
Over a year ago Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced Articles of Impeachment against him. “Garland has used the FBI as a personal police force for his boss, Joe Biden. From investigating parents who protest their local school boards, to going after pro-life activists and Catholics, to persecuting former and future President Donald J. Trump, Merrick Garland’s corruption knows no bounds.” Greene said. “Therefore, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland must be impeached,” she concluded.
Greene has also been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the current Republican leadership, criticizing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for not taking stronger actions against the DOJ and FBI. She has even attempted to oust McCarthy, blaming him for funding the agencies she accuses of targeting Trump.
Greene posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, adding, “The Biden DOJ and FBI were planning to assassinate Pres Trump and gave the green light. Does everyone get it yet???!!!! What are Republicans going to do about it? I tried to oust our Speaker who funded Biden’s DOJ AND FBI, but Democrats stopped it.”
The ongoing narrative pushed by Greene and other Trump loyalists continues to fuel political tensions and undermine trust in federal institutions. Despite clear statements from the FBI and Attorney General Garland that the use of deadly force was a standard part of the operation, the claims of an assassination plot persist. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these unfounded allegations and calls for impeachment are likely to remain a central part of the GOP’s political discourse.
