Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Manhattan grand jury’s Thursday indictment of Donald Trump. This is what they’re saying:
Sen. John Cornyn, a member of Senate GOP management, advised CNN the Trump indictment “seems to me like this is a chance for this [district attorney] to attempt to make headlines and achieve publicity.”
Rep. James Comer: The Home Oversight Chairman attacked the “political witch-hunt” of former President Donald Trump the day after he was indicted by Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg.
“One factor that we’re involved about in Washington, Congressman Jordan and myself, is that if there may be coordination being performed right here between Merrick Garland, DOJ and all these totally different entities which are going after Donald Trump,” Comer advised Fox on Friday. “It is a political witch-hunt, they’re doing every little thing of their means to create a story that might damage Donald Trump.”
Comer advised CNN that Bragg’s investigation “a political stunt.”
Earlier than the indictment, Comer and two different Home Chairman despatched a letter requesting testimony and data from Bragg on his investigation.
Sen. John Barrasso: The Senate GOP Convention Chairman known as the indictment a “political hit job” in an announcement to CNN.
“It is a politically-motivated prosecution by a far-left activist. If it was anybody apart from President Trump, a case like this is able to by no means be introduced. As an alternative of ordering political hit jobs, New York prosecutors ought to concentrate on getting violent criminals off the streets,” he mentioned.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: The important thing Trump ally, who can also be near Home GOP management, tweeted that she plans on touring to New York Metropolis on Tuesday to protest Donald Trump’s indictment – the newest signal of how Republicans are racing to defend the previous president.
Greene serves on the Home Oversight Committee, one of many key committees making an attempt to research the Manhattan District Legal professional’s workplace, and advised CNN she frequently retains Trump updated on their investigative priorities.
Rep. Mike Johnson: Johnson, a member of Home Republican management, attacked Bragg and mentioned the indictment “all however ensured” former President Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee for president.
“The particular person denigrating integrity, the integrity of our complete judicial system is Alvin Bragg, this Soros-funded political activist who’s occupying the Manhattan DA’s workplace,” mentioned Johnson on Fox Information on Friday. “He’s spending all his time and assets going after the previous President. Why? The timing is vital, as a result of the President has introduced he’s operating once more.”
The indictment has “ensured” that Trump would be the Republican presidential nominee “and certain get reelection” in 2024, Johnson added.
Rep. Barry Moore, a conservative Republican who has endorsed Trump, defended Republicans who’ve attacked Bragg earlier than seeing any proof towards Trump. Moore mentioned the indictment “smells fairly fishy.”
Requested if he would take into account re-evaluating after seeing proof, Moore replied, “I am open to pondering that. However I am within the rubbish enterprise, you understand, and so loads of instances, I understand how to identify a pile of rubbish, and this factor seems like a pile of rubbish.”
He predicted that the indictment might truly assist Trump’s presidential possibilities. Moore himself was indicted and ultimately discovered not responsible on perjury expenses in 2014, when he was a member of the Alabama State Home.
“After I used to be indicted, that weekend, we had extra individuals knock doorways than any time in our marketing campaign,” he added. “… We did, as a result of the individuals noticed it for what it was. I feel the American individuals see this for what it’s.”
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