These Republicans Criticized Trump Over Indictment

Topline

After news of former President Donald Trump’s indictment broke, many Republicans shared statements in support of the 2024 candidate, but he doesn’t have every one’s support: Some big names in the party have been more critical of Trump, saying “no one is above the law” and calling for an end to his campaign.

Former President Donald Trump was indicted Thursday in a Department of Justice investigation into … [+] his handling of classified documents. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Key Facts

Asa Hutchinson: The Republican presidential candidate and former Alabama governor called the situation a “major distraction” and called on Trump to end his campaign, saying in a statement “Trump’s actions—from his willful disregard for the Constitution to his disrespect for the rule of law—should not define our nation or the Republican Party.”

Chris Christie: Another Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Christie tweeted last night he would have more to say when the indictment is released, but took a veiled jab at Trump saying: “no one is above the law, no matter how much they wish they were.”

Mitt Romney: The former Republican presidential nominee and Utah senator, who has long been critical of Trump, said in a statement the Department of Justice “exercised due care” and that Trump “brought these charges upon himself” and if proven guilty, these actions would be “consistent with his other actions offensive to the national interest.”

Tangent

A number of Republicans were more critical of the process than of Trump himself. Former Trump Vice President and presidential candidate Mike Pence said Thursday in a radio appearance that he was “deeply troubled” to see the indictment move forward and “hoped that the DOJ would see it’s way clearer not to move forward here,” but Pence also said “no one is above the law.” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.)—widely considered Trump’s biggest opponent for the 2024 nomination—tweeted there has been an “uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation” for years, questioning why the DOJ was “so zealous in pursuing Trump” but not former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton or President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.

Surprising Fact

At least two of Trump’s fellow candidates have expressed support for him since news of the indictment broke. Vivek Ramaswamy, a long shot candidate for the nomination, said he would pardon Trump if elected and echoed DeSantis’ concerns that there are “two tiers of justice,” in that Trump is held to a different standard than Biden, Politico reported. Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor, called the indictment a “distraction” on Twitter, and added that “the American people are exhausted by the prosecutorial overreach, double standards, and vendetta politics.”

Key Background

Late Thursday night, Trump was officially charged with seven criminal counts including conspiracy and retention of documents, making him the first former president in U.S. history to face federal charges. Trump confirmed on Truth Social that will appear in court in Miami on Tuesday, and called the allegations against him a “hoax” and “warfare for the law” designed to harm his political prospects. The indictment stems from an investigation into classified documents that were brought to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property after his presidential term. Shortly after the indictment, CNN reported that Trump admitted on tape he kept a “highly confidential” military document that he didn’t have the authority to declassify after leaving office. Trump was also indicted in New York state court in March on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

These Republicans Criticized Trump Over Indictment—Breaking GOP Ranks

Topline

Key Facts

Tangent

Surprising Fact

Key Background

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