Topline
Several Republican lawmakers took to social media Tuesday to offer their support for former President Donald Trump, who surrendered to authorities in Manhattan as he faces charges stemming from “hush money” payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Former President Donald Trump is escorted to a courtroom, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York.
Key Facts
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) wrote that Trump’s arrest “is a stain on our Republic,” after the controversial congresswoman protested outside of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) called Trump’s indictment a “Witch Hunt” and said, “America is standing with you.”
Over several posts on Twitter, Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) said Trump’s indictment “is wholly political and baseless” and suggested Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg—a “left-wing Democrat who hates Donald Trump”—is targeting Trump “by any means necessary.”
Rep. Paul Gosar (Ariz.) tweeted: “Take the pledge: I STAND WITH OUR PRESIDENT, DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (Fla.), who referred to Bragg as “a socialist hack,” said the Manhattan District Attorney’s office was “crafting a frivolous politically-motivated case” against Trump.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel criticized Trump’s indictment and said, “We are learning that the greatest crime in Biden’s America is to be a Republican.”
Contra
The White House said Tuesday that Trump’s arraignment was “not something that is a focus” for President Joe Biden. Biden has refused to respond to questions about Trump over the last week, noting he was “not going to talk about the Trump indictment.”
What To Watch For
Trump will deliver a statement at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida residence Tuesday night following his arraignment procedures, according to his campaign.
Key Background
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in connection with a 2016 deal his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen made with Daniels. A probe into Trump, which began in 2019, focused on a $130,000 payment Cohen made to Daniels in the final days of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in an effort to allegedly keep her from going public with an affair she says she had with Trump nearly a decade earlier. Trump has denied the claims and said his indictment was a “Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement.” Trump initially claimed without evidence that he would be arrested on March 21, causing his supporters to blast the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said an indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power” by Bragg, adding he would investigate whether federal funds were used to interfere in the 2024 presidential election “with politically motivated prosecutions.”
Further Reading
Trump Surrenders At Manhattan Criminal Courthouse—And Calls Arrest ‘Surreal’ Moment (Forbes)
Photos: Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos Join Trump Indictment Protests (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/04/04/republican-allies-to-trump-america-is-standing-with-you/