Several lawmakers, both allies and critics of Donald Trump, issued statements following the ex-president’s indictment on Tuesday.
Trump personally pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court to 34 counts of falsifying business documents in the first degree after hearing charges against him related to paying silence money to an adult film actress in 2016.
Here’s how MPs react:
Republican Senator Mitt Romneya harsh critic of Trump, criticized what he called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s excessive interference and said it was setting a “dangerous precedent”.
“I believe President Trump’s character and conduct make him unfit for office,” Romney said in a statement. “However, I believe the New York City Attorney reached out to bring criminal charges of felony charges in order to fit the political agenda. No one is above the law, not even former presidents, but everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law. excessiveness sets a dangerous precedent for the criminalization of political opponents and undermines public confidence in our justice system.”
Republican House of Representatives Chairwoman Eliza Stefanika key Trump ally, called Trump’s arrest “shameful”, adding that it would help him in his fight for the White House.
“President Trump continues to skyrocket in the polls, and as with the Russia hoax and both bogus impeachments, President Trump will win the final witch hunt, defeat Joe Biden, and be sworn in as President of the United States in January 2025. she said in statement.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan tweeted“equal justice under the law unless you’re a Republican running for president” after Trump was indicted.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise retweeted Jordan’s post.
Trump ally Senator Marsha Blackburn accused Bragg about the politically motivated investigation in a number of tweets today. In one tweet, Blackburn called Bragg “a radical left-wing activist abusing his power in an attempt to help Biden stay in office.”
Republican Senator JD Vance tweeted that “Bragg’s entire career has been dedicated to the normalization of violent crime. It’s just insane that he’s bringing this weak cause into the midst of a presidential election.” The Ohio senator, who was once a critic of Trump, supported Trump and has already backed him in the 2024 presidential race.
Republican Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, who is weighing his candidacy for the presidential election in 2024, slammed bragg before being charged, stating that he “does not prosecute criminals, but uses the law against his political enemies.”