Former President Trump's assertion that President Biden authorized lethal force during the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago is baseless, according to legal analysis by Fox News contributor Andy McCarthy. McCarthy highlights the standard protocols and use-of-force policies that guide all search warrant executions, emphasizing that the presence of such contingencies does not imply intent to employ lethal force.
Andy McCarthy, a prominent legal contributor to Fox News, has provided a comprehensive analysis of the recent New York v. Trump criminal trial developments, specifically addressing former President Trump's unfounded claim that President Biden authorized the use of lethal force during the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago estate.
McCarthy, who has attended the trial in Manhattan over the past few days, expressed no surprise at Trump's outlandish claim, labeling it as "political red meat for conspiracy theorists." He explains that a search warrant is a serious legal document issued upon a finding of probable cause that incriminating evidence will be recovered, typically in connection with suspected criminal activity.
McCarthy points out that most search warrants are executed without incident, while others may require force. However, all search warrants involve the potential for forced entry and property seizures, exposing law enforcement personnel to both legal and safety risks.
In the case of the Mar-a-Lago search, McCarthy asserts that it would have been highly unusual if the FBI did not have an operational plan in place, including use-of-force policies. Such plans are standard procedure in search warrant executions to prepare agents for potential contingencies and to mitigate legal liability in case of unforeseen circumstances.
McCarthy emphasizes that the FBI's use-of-force policies include conditions for the use of lethal force, which are meant to ensure that agents are equipped to handle situations where deadly force may be necessary. However, these policies do not suggest that lethal force was intended or planned for the Mar-a-Lago search.
The author concludes that Trump's claim is politically motivated and lacks any factual or legal basis. He highlights the importance of understanding the standard protocols and procedures surrounding search warrant executions and reiterates that the presence of use-of-force policies is not synonymous with intent to employ lethal force.
