2023-06-14 18:09:07
We are witnessing a change of discourse among some Republicans since the publication of the indictment against Donald Trump in the case of classified documents. Among the party’s candidates for the 2024 presidential election, former governors Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson are no longer the only ones to take the charges against the former president seriously. We must now add to the list Mike Pence, Tim Scott and Nikki Haley.
The former vice-president, it should be remembered, first deplored the indictment of his former boss, saying that this decision was likely to unnecessarily exacerbate divisions within the country. This Wednesday morning, during an interview with CNBC, he changed his tune: “I had the opportunity to review the indictment over the weekend. And this indictment contains serious allegations. And I cannot defend what is alleged. »
Mike Pence: “I had a chance to review the indictment over the weekend. And this indictment contains serious charges. And i cannot defend what is alleged.”
pic.twitter.com/ww9LsVdjcQ— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) June 14, 2023
While decrying a justice system that they say unfairly targets Republicans, Haley and Scott refused to dismiss the allegations made by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith out of hand. Former United States Ambassador said that Trump had “been incredibly reckless with our national security,” if the indictment is correct. South Carolina Senator asserted for his part that it was “a serious matter with serious allegations”.
Ron DeSantis, Trump’s main rival, continues for his part to see in the indictment of the former president. than the instrumentalization of the justice system by Joe Biden and the Democrats.
In Congress, Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski added her dissenting voice to that of fellow Utah Republican Mitt Romney regarding Trump’s indictment. “The charges in this case are very serious and cannot be dismissed lightly,” she said. tweeted last Friday. “The mishandling of classified documents is a federal crime because it can reveal national secrets, as well as the sources and methods by which they were obtained. Illegal retention and obstruction of justice related to classified documents are also criminal acts. Anyone found guilty – whether an analyst, a former president or another elected or appointed official – should face the same consequences. »
Alaska Republican Representative Don Bacon went even further on Tuesday. “Obviously what the president did was wrong, and we have to be honest,” he said. “There’s no way to defend this…I don’t see this as a bogus indictment. »
Rep. Don Bacon on Trump’s indictment: “It’s obvious what the president did was wrong, and we’ve just gotta be honest…There’s no way to defend that…I just don’t see it as a sham indictment.” pic.twitter.com/jXKQZRsO4U
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) June 14, 2023
The list of Republicans who take the allegations against Trump seriously – and say so publicly – is not long, even if it is not limited to the names cited above (let’s not forget William Barr, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, among others), but it could get longer. Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell still refuses to comment on the issue, unlike House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is 100% MAGA on this issue.
PS: We’re halfway through this blog’s second fundraising campaign in 2023. I’m updating my thermometer to measure how far we have to go to reach our goal. And I thank all those who have already contributed to the collective effort, as well as the others who will take action by the end of the day, because your participation is essential!
(Screenshot photo)
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#Indictment #Trump #Republicans #allegations