The charges against Donald Trump for his reaction to the 2020 election bust could be used against his opponents in the Republican presidential race. But do they?
Donald Trump’s most serious indictment to date has once again put pressure on his inner-party rivals in the race for the White House. As with the previous two charges of handling secret papers and paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence and Co. must publicly address the unprecedented allegations against the former US President.
Trump’s opponents in the Republican presidential race may be happy to know that their closest rival, who is well ahead of them in the polls, faces more legal trouble and further tarnished reputation. They could even use the allegations of special counsel Jack Smith as a weapon against the 77-year-old in the primary campaign.
Instead, the competitors could also follow Trump’s arguments in order not to alienate his numerous supporters. The 77-year-old rejects the allegations and sees himself – once again – as the victim of a political witch hunt by the Democrats and his real opponent in the presidential election in November 2024, incumbent Joe Biden.
This is how Trump’s competition has reacted to the indictment so far:
Ron DeSantis
Trump’s most dangerous rival in the primaries did not comment on social media or in interviews after the indictment on Thursday. However, the governor of Florida had already made his strategy for dealing with the Trump indictment clear the day before: Instead of attacking the ex-president, he criticized the fact that the trial against Trump should take place in the traditionally politically liberal US capital Washington.
“A Washington DC jury would convict a ham sandwich if it were a Republican ham sandwich,” DeSantis claimed on Fox News. “I think the jury is biased, I think they’re going to want to convict people they disagree with.” The 44-year-old demanded that the Americans should be able to avoid having court proceedings held in Washington. “Or at least you should be able to select juries from across the country.”
Mike Pence
The former Vice President also initially avoided a clear statement after the indictment and only contradicted Trump’s claim that he should have prevented the approval of the election results: “President Trump was wrong when he said I had the right to annul the election,” wrote Pence on social media. “My duty in January was not based on conviction but on the law and the history of this country.”
Trump had openly called on Pence to block the US Congress procedure he was leading to confirm Biden’s election victory on January 6, 2021. When Pence refused, Trump turned his supporters against his deputy. The mob chanted “Hang Pence” that day. Pence was forced to flee temporarily with members of Congress as rioters stormed the Capitol.
accusation of conspiracy
Donald Trump appears in court again this time – and pleads “not guilty”
Nikki Haley
The former South Carolina governor even defended her competitor on NBC News: “Like most Americans, I’m tired of commenting on every Trump drama. I’ve lost count of whether this is the third, fourth or fifth indictment,” Haley, who was US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, told NBC News. “Donald Trump bears some responsibility for what happened, but Trump did not attack the Capitol. He should not be charged with that.”
Vivek Ramaswamy
The multi-million dollar pharmaceutical entrepreneur jumped even more clearly to Trump’s side and made serious allegations against President Joe Biden and his administration: “I think we’re living in a time where we have the feeling that the government is suppressing the truth,” Ramaswamy claimed in the Broadcaster Fox News Digital without submitting any supporting documents. “The first three charges – they stank of politicization. And I think that’s just a reality. I think that sets a terrible precedent. I think there’s a difference between bad judgment and a crime. Criminalizing any wrongful conviction, is a dangerous path for us to walk in this country.”
Doug Burgum
The North Dakota governor shirked a position for or against Trump and also attacked the US government: “The Biden administration loves it when we talk about indictments because then they don’t talk about their terrible track record in national security must,” Burgum said on Fox News’ Special Report.
Will Hurd
Unlike most of his fellow Republican nominees, the former Texas congressman fired a live baton at Trump and called on voters to refuse to vote for him in the primary. “The fact that a former president should stand before a judge in our nation’s capital and have to plead a dispute about overturning an election is just outrageous,” Hurd fumed in a CNN interview. “I’m like most Americans. I’m upset, I’m upset, I’m pissed off.”
“But the great thing is, we can do something about it,” the former CIA official continued. “We’ve got a chance to say enough is enough and beat him in an election. … Let’s not be afraid of this lead he’s got at the moment. It’s just a snapshot and those of us Those who are fed up and tired and angry that Donald Trump is running for President to avoid going to jail should do something about it. It’s in our hands.”
Ex-US President under pressure
Donald Trump has these legal problems on his hands
Asa Hutchinson
The former governor of Arkansas also sharply attacked Trump: “Today’s indictment against Donald Trump is a sad day for the Lincoln and Reagan party,” Hutchinson commented on Thursday’s court date. “He duped his followers on January 6 and he’s trying to do it again.”
The 72-year-old Trump critic called for a change of direction in the Republican Party: “The GOP needs a course correction. I plan to offer one on the debate stage. Help me qualify!”
Trump sees himself as a victim of “political persecution”
Donald Trump had to appear before a court in Washington on Thursday in connection with attempted election fraud and the attack by his supporters on the Capitol. The 45-page indictment charges him with four formal charges, including conspiracy against the United States. If convicted, the 77-year-old could face decades in prison.
Trump denied all allegations and pleaded “not guilty” in court. He sees any legal action against him as an attempt by his opponents to prevent him from returning to the White House. He was the victim of the “persecution of a political opponent”. The former incumbent wants to run again for the Republicans in the presidential election, but first he has to win the internal party primaries. According to polls, he is far ahead in the field of Republican presidential candidates.
The new indictment is the second federal charge against Trump, and the third overall. In recent months, the ex-president has been charged in connection with hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels several years ago and unlawful keeping of secret government documents after the end of his term.
Sources: Mike Pence, “The Lead” CNN, Asa Hutchinson, Fox News Digital, Fox News “Special Report”