Donald Trump’s favorability ratings have remained steady over the last few months even after the FBI executed a search warrant on the former president’s Mar-a-Lago home for possible violations of the Espionage Act.
Trump has tightened his hold on Republicans in recent months — ahead of the midterm elections and a possible run for president in 2024. Roughly 41% of Republicans identify more as Trump supporters than as establishment Republicans, up 7 points from earlier this summer, according to a new poll by NBC News.
MAR-A-LAGO FBI RAID: WHAT PUNISHMENTS TRUMP COULD FACE UNDER ESPIONAGE ACT
Another 23% said they have a “very positive” view of the former president, up 2 points from May, the poll showed. However, 46% said they have a “very negative” view of the president, revealing an intraparty divide ahead of the midterm elections.
Recent polling shows Trump’s influence has been bolstered ahead of a possible presidential bid, placing him above Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another Republican contender for the GOP nomination. Half of Republicans would back Trump for a 2024 run, while just 29% would back DeSantis, according to a poll by Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire released last week.
However, the FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home earlier this month could negate Trump’s efforts to return to the White House. The unsealed warrant that allowed FBI agents to execute a search showed he is being investigated for a possible violation of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice.
The warrant referenced possible violations of 18 U.S. Code 2071, which deems it illegal to steal government documents and makes it a crime for anyone to have any federal record in his or her possession with the intention to conceal or destroy it. If charged, Trump could face a fine or three years in prison, and he could be disqualified from holding public office in the future.
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FBI agents found several classified documents during their search, with some documents being considered the highest level of classification, according to the warrant. In the search, the agency recovered 11 sets of classified documents, including handwritten notes, binders full of photos, and the executive grant of clemency given to Trump ally Roger Stone.
Trump has not been charged in the incident, and the investigation into the handling of White House documents is underway. However, the warrant detailed possible violations of several U.S. statutes.
