Ex-Democratic presidential candidate accuses Biden of 'blatant abuse of power'

Tulsi Gabbard, a former congresswoman and Democratic presidential candidate, warned that the FBI's raid on Donald Trump's home is not just about the former president but an "escalating, very dangerous trend of abuse of power" by the Biden administration.

"This is something that every American should be extremely concerned about because this raid is just the latest serious escalation of this disturbing trend that we've seen of blatant abuse of power by those in power, to not only protect their friends but to target their political opponents or frankly anyone who dares to dissent or challenge or disagree or even question what this administration is doing," Gabbard told Fox News' Jesse Watters on Tuesday, one day after FBI agents raided Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Abuse of power can be found not only in the Justice Department but in other agencies as well, Gabbard said, citing the Department of Homeland Security's "Ministry of Truth" and how the Obama administration used the IRS to target conservative organizations.

"These are things that happen in banana republics, where dictators have federal agencies, including law enforcement, to act as their own personal goon squads," Gabbard said. "And that's what I'm thinking of as I see this escalating, very dangerous trend of abuse of power by this administration." 

She warned: "I hope those who aren't paying attention do take notice, because if you think this is just about Trump, you're wrong. This is about every single one of us as Americans."

Gov. Ron Desantis (R-Fla.) made similar remarks following the raid.

"The raid of MAL is another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regime's political opponents, while people like Hunter Biden get treated with kid gloves," he wrote. "Now the Regime is getting another 87k IRS agents to wield against its adversaries? Banana Republic."