Donald Trump indicted: Prominent Republicans stay silent on Bragg charges

A Manhattan grand jury approved charges against former President Donald Trump on Thursday, but many prominent Republicans have remained silent on the matter.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) have both distanced themselves from Trump in recent months due to his refusal to concede the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. While they speak out against misleading claims about the Capitol riot, they rarely discuss Trump in public. McConnell has not spoken to Trump since December 2020.

Conversely, House GOP leaders have condemned the indictment and promised Congressional oversight efforts. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has been reported to be in regular contact with Trump, walking him through GOP plans to respond to the criminal charges.

Trump’s staunch critic, former Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY), who was removed from her position as House Republican Conference Chairwoman for breaking with the former president, has remained silent on the indictment despite the potential for revenge from Trump.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a former presidential candidate and supposed ally of Trump, has yet to comment on the charges despite his potential 2024 bid. Likewise, former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has remained silent on the matter.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a Republican who has been relatively supportive of Trump in the past, has been critical of him in recent times but has yet to comment on the indictment.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges, including ones related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels prior to the election. This indictment marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges.