Top Senate Republican Breaks Silence on Trump Indictment; McConnell Still Mum

Former President Donald Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records regarding an alleged “hush money” payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016, a charge which Trump denies. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), one of the top Senate Republicans, has criticized the indictment as a “political agenda run amok.” However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has had a contentious relationship with Trump in the past, has yet to comment on the situation.

Thune stated his opinion during an appearance on a South Dakota radio station, claiming that the indictment appears to be politically motivated. He did acknowledge that this is the beginning of a legal process, not the end.

Trump had previously revealed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he expected to be arrested by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who subsequently charged him with the felonies. Other Republicans, such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), have also criticized the indictment and voiced concern over the possibility of criminalizing political opponents.

Meanwhile, some Senate Republicans, such as Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), have dismissed the charges as “completely underwhelming,” while McConnell has yet to make a statement.