{
  "id": 12318536,
  "title": "FBI tracked Melania, Barron Trump ahead of 2022 Mar-a-Lago search, documents show",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/fbi-tracked-melania-barron-trump-ahead-of-2022-mar-a-lago-search",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T06:38:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910740"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FBI agents monitored the movements of former US First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump in the lead-up to a 2022 search of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, according to newly released documents. The surveillance was part of an investigation into classified documents Trump retained after leaving office, known as \"Plasmic Echo.\" The FBI aimed to determine the optimal time to execute the search by gathering information about the Trump family's travel plans and schedules.\n\nIn a separate matter, the FBI was also tracking the phone activity of Susie Wiles, who was serving as White House Chief of Staff at the time. FBI personnel monitored Wiles' calls between February and May 2023, including conversations with nearly two dozen attorneys connected to Trump, campaign staffers, political advisers, and journalists. The records show that one call from former President Trump to Wiles lasted 16 minutes and 11 seconds on May 19, 2023.\n\nThe FBI ultimately conducted the Mar-a-Lago search on August 8, 2022, after former Attorney General Merrick Garland approved the investigative steps. Special Counsel Jack Smith was already investigating Trump for potential obstruction of justice and allegations that he had falsely claimed all classified documents had been returned to the National Archives. Garland had previously warned that the investigation could be disruptive to the democratic process if it became public before an election.",
  "summary": "The records show agents sought detailed travel information on Trump, Melania, and Barron before searching Mar-a-Lago, while later tracking calls made by Susie Wiles.",
  "key_points": [
    "FBI monitored Melania Trump and Barron Trump before Mar-a-Lago search in 2022.",
    "Surveillance aimed to determine optimal search time for classified documents case.",
    "FBI tracked Susie Wiles' phone activity between Feb-May 2023."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The FBI's surveillance of the Trump family and associates reveals the agency's effort to strategically time the Mar-a-Lago search to minimize disruption, while also scrutinizing potential cooperation and information leaks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Trump shifts stance on mail-in voting ahead of November midterms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/trump-shifts-stance-on-mail-in-voting-ahead-of-november-midterms",
        "published": "2026-10-06T04:36:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Trump TV ads: Who will pay now as President says taxpayers don't have to shell out dollars, in major turn ahead of midterms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/trump-tv-ads-who-will-pay-now-as-president-says-taxpayers-dont-have",
        "published": "2026-10-06T05:54:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}