Merrick Garland Reacts to Trump’s Claims FBI Agents Were ‘Locked and Loaded’

The Attorney General faced questions about his recent comments during a news conference. Attorney General Merrick Garland responded to allegations regarding FBI agents’ authorization to use deadly force during the search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022. President Trump’s campaign raised concerns about the Department of Justice being “locked and loaded” to take action against him, citing the FBI’s authorization to use deadly force during the raid. However, Mr. Garland refuted these claims, stating that the document in question is standard DOJ policy limiting the use of force during FBI operations. He emphasized that the same protocol was followed during a consensual search of President Joe Biden’s home, calling the former president’s statement false. The FBI confirmed that standard procedures were followed during the Mar-a-Lago search in August 2022, which was conducted to retrieve classified documents as part of an investigation resulting in the former president’s indictment. The Department of Justice’s policy allows the use of force when necessary, particularly when there is a perceived imminent threat of death or serious physical injury. President Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges related to retaining classified materials and obstructing government efforts to obtain them after leaving office. The trial has been postponed indefinitely due to unresolved issues. Earlier this week, prosecutors and a co-defendant’s lawyer clashed during a hearing, with accusations of pressure tactics by a DOJ official. The former president maintains that the cases against him are politically motivated attempts to interfere with the 2024 election. President Trump faces multiple charges in different jurisdictions, including in New York, Washington, and Fulton County, Georgia, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. The trial in New York is ongoing, with the judge instructing jurors to convict only if guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, President Trump may be released on bond as a first-time offender of a nonviolent crime. Closing arguments are scheduled to be presented next week, followed by jury deliberations and a potential verdict. Please rewrite this sentence.

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