Trump Indictment Makes Him a ‘Martyr’ but Doesn’t Assure Him of 2024 Win: Strategists

News Analysis

On April 4, a grand jury indicted former President Donald Trump on multiple charges, prompting by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Following this development, Trump raised over $8 million in four days. According to a poll by the Trafalgar Group, Trump has stretched his lead among Republicans in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination over his nearest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, to 33 from 14 points.

Karl Rove, former chief political strategist and deputy White House Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush, commented on the court date, saying that the indictment had helped Trump in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. However, polls conducted by ABC-Ipsos Poll suggest that 16% of Republicans felt Trump should have been indicted—a number that doesn’t bode well for his chances in the long run.

’Martyr’

Political strategists and elected officials in both major political parties spoke with The Epoch Times about the impact of the Bragg indictment’s unsealing. Cristina Antelo, a senior Democratic strategist, and Brian Darling, a senior Republican strategist, believe that Trump will benefit in the short and long term. Antelo said Trump is now a victim and a martyr. Meanwhile, Darling believes that this case is not as significant as people make it out to be, and the other Trump cases may impact the election more prominently than this one.

On the other hand, Democratic strategist Christy Setzer is skeptical about the short- or long-term benefits for Trump, suggesting that this issue might not excite non-Trump supporters. However, David Molina, another Democratic strategist, thinks it’s still too early to say how the indictment will affect Trump’s political prospects for 2024. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) believes that Trump is a fighter and will come out swinging, showing that he has energy.

Turning Point

The indictment represents a significant turning point for the country. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) wrote on Twitter that Bragg’s weaponization of the federal justice process will be held accountable by Congress. McCarthy was referring to a joint demand from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), and House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil (R-Wis.). They demanded documents related to Bragg’s Trump investigation and are expected to issue a subpoena if the Manhattan district attorney continues to refuse to cooperate.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) denounced Bragg’s action, saying it’s a political prosecution. She claimed that Soros-backed DA Alvin Bragg is allowing violent criminals in his city to run free while attempting to take down a former President.