Former President Donald Trump said in a lengthy statement Monday that the FBI was conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.
Trump declined to comment on why the FBI executed the warrant on his resort but has said that the raid was unannounced.
While circumstances of the search were not immediately clear, the Justice Department has been actively investigating the discovery of classified information in boxes of records that were taken to Trump's Florida residence after he left the White House.
Though a search warrant does not suggest that criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must demonstrate that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.
“These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents," Trump said in a statement. "Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”
"After working and cooperating with relevant government agencies, this announced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate," Trump said. "Sadly, America has now become one of those countries, corrupt at a level not seen before. They even broke into my safe!"
“What is the difference between this and Watergate, where operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee? Here, in reverse, Democrats broke into the home of the 45th President of the United States," the statement continues.
According to CNN, the raid on Trump's resort began earlier Monday morning, focusing on Trump's offices and personal quarters.
Donald Trump was not present during the FBI's raid.
The discovery of classified information at Mar-a-Lago was referred to the Justice Department by the National Archives and Records Administration, which said it had found classified material in 15 boxes at the residence.
Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, though it is possible that Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.
There are multiple statutes governing classified information, including a law punishable by up to five years in prison that makes it a crime to remove such records and retain them at an unauthorized location. Another statute makes it a crime to mishandle classified records either intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.
In a separate investigation, the congressional Jan. 6 committee continues to present evidence trying to directly connect former President Donald Trump to the violence at the Capitol and the Republicans who aligned with him.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The National Desk will continue to keep this story updated.