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Former Manhattan district attorney says Trump’s recent statements could strengthen the case against him
Former President Donald Trump is mounting a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, at the same time as a number of authorized controversies swirl round him.
Two of his potential opponents within the GOP major — who haven’t but formally introduced candidacies — took completely different tacks when discussing Trump’s historic indictment this weekend.
Here’s what they needed to say:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attacked Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg for indicting “a former president on misdemeanor offenses” for “purely political functions” in a speech Saturday on the Pennsylvania Management Convention.
“That’s when you already know that the regulation has been weaponized for political functions; that’s when you already know that the left is utilizing that to focus on their political opponent,” DeSantis stated.
DeSantis additional attacked Bragg at a rally Saturday in Backyard Metropolis, New York.
“This man is all about politics. He is available in, his complete factor is he does not need folks to be in jail. He needs to downgrade felonies to misdemeanors,” the governor stated “Actually, actually harmful stuff. After which what does he do? He turns round, does a flimsy indictment towards a former president of america.”
DeSantis stated whereas Bragg is seeking to reduce penalties on different offenders, he is seeking to cost Trump with a felony for business-related crimes that ought to be thought of misdemeanors.
“This man is doing politics. He has an agenda. That isn’t the rule of regulation,” DeSantis continued, as the gang broke into applause that was a standing ovation.
Context on Bragg’s marketing campaign: Bragg ran for district legal professional as a reformer. He has aggressively pursued Trump and different progressive priorities since getting elected, together with not prosecuting some low-level crimes and discovering options to incarceration for sure offenders.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, one of many few Republican 2024 hopefuls who didn’t instantly criticize Donald Trump’s indictment, stated late Friday that the previous president “shouldn’t be the nominee” and “can’t win” the 2024 election.
Sununu stated on HBO’s “Actual Time with Invoice Maher” that the historic indictment has created a “circus.”
Requested if he thought Trump was responsible, the governor stated: “You recognize what the indictments are? Like, I am assuming he’s, proper?”
Sununu stated the indictment “solely helps” Trump along with his supporters, however he does not consider the previous president ought to be the GOP’s nominee within the 2024 presidential election.
“I do not suppose he will be the nominee. He should not be the nominee. He cannot win in ’24,” the governor stated. “However this builds quite a lot of empathy, sympathy, if you’ll. It solidifies his base.”
Extra from the potential 2024 GOP discipline: You’ll be able to learn remarks on the indictment from former Vice President Mike Pence, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and different Republicans to look at right here.