Melania and Barron in the crosshairs: How the FBI tracked the Trump family

Declassified documents reveal that the FBI tracked the travel of Melania and Barron Trump as part of preparations for the Mar-a-Lago search in 2022. The materials also expose an internal FBI dispute over the search warrant's justification and surveillance of Susie Wiles. The White House calls it a shameful abuse of government power.

Declassified documents reveal dramatic details about the investigation into classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, codenamed 'Plasmic Echo'. The materials show that the FBI tracked the travel of Donald Trump, his wife Melania, and his son Barron, including aircraft type and schedules, as part of operational planning for the August 2022 search. Additionally, investigators deployed a Pen Register/Trap and Trace device on the phone number of Susie Wiles, now White House Chief of Staff, documenting her contacts with at least 21 lawyers, political advisors, and journalists. The documents also expose a sharp internal dispute: the FBI's Washington field office opposed the search warrant, arguing insufficient probable cause and proposing a less intrusive alternative. The Justice Department overruled the objection. The White House issued sharp criticism: spokesperson Lauren Biss called the operation a 'shameful abuse of government power'. The investigation led to an indictment against Trump, which was dismissed in July 2024 by Judge Aileen Cannon.