Trump Allies Rally Around Former President After Indictment

Former President Donald Trump has responded to news that a New York grand jury voted to indict him on unspecified criminal charges by calling it “political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history.” The response has sparked a number of demonstrations of support from numerous Republicans including 2024 GOP presidential primary rival, Vivek Ramaswamy and potential rival, Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis. Trump’s lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, has confirmed that the former president will surrender himself to Manhattan, if brought in. DeSantis, however, says his state of Florida won’t cooperate with authorities if asked to do so: “The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American.”

Trump’s lawyers have acknowledged the indictment, making Trump the first former president to be criminally charged. “President Trump has been indicted. He did not commit any crime,” states Tacopina. “We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in court.” Most Republicans who have released a statement about Trump’s indictment share a common view that the decision represents political persecution.

With reference to the indictment, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) says, “It’s a sad state of affairs when socialist DAs would rather pursue a politically motivated witch hunt against President Donald Trump than crack down on violent crime. The American people won’t forget.”

Republican nominee for Arizona’s governor race, Kari Lake, said in response to the news that “the radical left and their weaponized criminal justice system have crossed all legal and ethical lines in an attempt to destroy” Trump. The precedent this sets threatens to further divide a country that already seems to be on the verge of tearing itself apart,” said Lake.

Former Trump senior adviser and attorney Jenna Ellis describes the indictment as “a legal disaster, and weaponizing the justice system against a political opponent.” She added, “The only reason DA Alvin Bragg is bringing charges is because Trump is running for the GOP 2024 presidential nomination. The DNC and RNC want a post-Trump America, yet they are incentivizing donors and the MAGA base to rally support against Trump.”