Republican Party: DeSantis and other Trump rivals in the primaries defend him after the indictment | International

Donald Trump's judicial calendar until the 2024 elections is loaded. That, which should be a gift for his rivals, is not so evident that it is, according to the reaction of the electorate, especially the Republican base, to the accusation last March. Many of the former president's rivals for the Republican Party's presidential nomination prefer to close ranks with him so as not to upset potential voters. After the indictment with federal charges this Thursday, many have lent him their support, although they want to spread the idea among the voters of his party that Trump cannot defeat Biden at the moment of truth.

Trump's main rival in the Republican race for the nomination, Florida Governor Ron de Santis, has come to Trump's defense, accusing the judiciary of double standards: "The instrumentalization of federal law enforcement represents a threat deadly for a free society. For years we have witnessed uneven application of the law based on political affiliation. Why so much zeal in pursuing Trump and so much passivity with Hillary or Hunter? The DeSantis administration will bring accountability to the DOJ, remove political bias, and end instrumentalization once and for all." has tweeted.

Senator Tim Scott, also a rival in the primaries, has also come to his defense: “Americans deserve to have confidence in our judicial system. As President, I will purge all injustices from our system so that all Americans will be seen blindfolded by Lady Justice." He has written. Scott has given an interview to Fox News in which he has insisted on that idea: "Every person is presumed innocent, not guilty, and what we have seen in recent years is the arms race of the Department of Justice against the former president," he said.

Another candidate, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, has argued that the charge is an "affront to all citizens" and has promised to pardon him in the (unlikely) event that he wins the 2024 elections. "It would be much easier for me to win these elections If Trump wasn't in the race, but I stand for principle over politics. I pledge to expeditiously pardon Trump on January 20, 2025 and restore the rule of law to our country." has said through a statement on the social network. Perry Johnson, another fringe candidate, also He has promised to pardon Trump. Larry Elder, also a minority, has spoken of a “partisan persecution” and double-standard justice.

Mike Pence, who was vice president under Trump and who was recently exonerated of responsibility for secret documents he inadvertently took home, was scheduled to give an interview to Fox News on Thursday but canceled following news of the indictment. . Pence has started the campaign with criticism of Trump for the assault on the Capitol, but apparently he has considered that it was not convenient for him to appear on television today with the accusation of his former boss in hot of him.

Doug Burgum, Nikki Haley and Rollan Roberts have preferred to remain silent in the early hours. Chris Christie, very critical of Trump, has also opted for the path of prudence: “We didn't hear the news from Trump's Truth Social account. Let's see what the facts are when any possible allegations are made public. As I've said before, no one is above the law, no matter how much they want to. We will have more to say when the facts are revealed." He has written.

The one who has targeted the president has been the former governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchison, who has issued a harsh statement: “Donald 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. Although Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a huge distraction. This reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect office and end his campaign," he said.

"Banana Rebublic"

Beyond the candidates for the primaries, who sometimes have to maintain a delicate balance to criticize Trump without angering his followers, in the rest of the Republican Party the shows of support have been very majority. Some have been silent and it is already considered significant, especially in the case of prominent figures such as Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republicans in the Senate and faced with the former president.

The one who has come out in their unreserved support has been House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: “Today is undoubtedly a dark day for the United States of America. It is inconceivable that a president accuses the main opposition candidate of him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades. I, and all Americans who believe in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice. House Republicans will be held accountable for this brazen use of power as a weapon." has tweeted.

Several Republican congressmen have treated their country's institutions with contempt: “President Trump has been impeached. We live in a Banana Republic.” Troy Nehls tweeted. “When our judicial system is weaponized against political opponents, we really do look like a third world banana republic.” Andy Harris has written, The same expression has been used, among others, by JD Vance and Nancy Mace, who predicts that the impeachment of the former president, paradoxically, will pave his way to the nomination in the Republican primaries.

Republican congressmen were engaged in an investigation into alleged bribes or commissions from abroad to Joe Biden and his family and some have suggested that Trump's imputation was trying to cover up this alleged scandal. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been one of the defenders of that theory. Democrats “must wake up at night in a panic at the thought of us winning in 2024″, she has written. “Joe Biden has classified documents all over the place. Literally on the garage floor next to the garage door that opens and closes, but the corrupt and complicit FBI and DOJ do nothing. He is embarrassing. Pathetic really. Ultimately the greatest hypocrisy in modern history. A complete and utter failure for the American people. A stain on our nation that the FBI and DOJ are so corrupt they don't even cover it up anymore." has added in a long message.

Of course, that has not been the tone of Democratic congressmen and politicians. Beyond saying that it was not aware of the accusation, the White House has preferred to remain silent to scare away the idea of ​​a political use of justice. But some Democratic congressmen have taken the opportunity to attack the former president.

“Trump's apparent indictment of multiple charges stemming from his withholding of classified material is another assertion of the rule of law. For four years, he acted as if he were above the law. But he should be treated like any other lawbreaker. And he today he has been ”, Adam Schiff has written, for example.

Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has summarized the situation: “The former president twice subjected to impeachment He is now charged twice."

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