Live updates: Donald Trump indictment news

Some Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Manhattan grand jury’s Thursday indictment of Donald Trump. Here is what they’re saying:

Sen. John Cornyn, a member of Senate GOP management, informed CNN the Trump indictment “seems to be to me like this is a chance for this (district lawyer) to attempt to make headlines and achieve publicity.”

Rep. James Comer: The Home Oversight Chairman attacked the “political witch-hunt” of former President Donald Trump the day after he was indicted by Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg.

“One factor that we’re involved about in Washington, Congressman Jordan and myself, is that if there may be coordination being performed right here between Merrick Garland, DOJ and all these totally different entities which might be going after Donald Trump,” Comer informed Fox on Friday. “This can be a political witch-hunt, they’re doing all the things of their potential to create a story that will harm Donald Trump.”

Comer informed CNN that Bragg’s investigation “a political stunt.”

Earlier than the indictment, Comer and two different Home Chairman despatched a letter requesting testimony and data from Bragg on his investigation. 

Sen. John Barrasso: The Senate GOP Convention Chairman referred to as the indictment a “political hit job” in an announcement to CNN. 

“This can be a politically-motivated prosecution by a far-left activist. If it was anybody aside from President Trump, a case like this might by no means be introduced. As an alternative of ordering political hit jobs, New York prosecutors ought to deal with getting violent criminals off the streets,” he stated.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: The important thing Trump ally, who can be near Home GOP management, tweeted that she plans on touring to New York Metropolis on Tuesday to protest Donald Trump’s indictment – the most recent signal of how Republicans are racing to defend the previous president.

Greene serves on the Home Oversight Committee, one of many key committees making an attempt to research the Manhattan District Lawyer’s workplace, and informed CNN she commonly retains Trump updated on their investigative priorities.

Rep. Mike Johnson: Johnson, a member of Home Republican management, attacked Bragg and stated the indictment “all however ensured” former President Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee for president.

“The individual denigrating integrity, the integrity of our whole judicial system is Alvin Bragg, this Soros-funded political activist who’s occupying the Manhattan DA’s workplace,” stated Johnson on Fox Information on Friday. “He’s spending all his time and sources going after the previous President. Why? The timing is necessary, as a result of the President has introduced he’s operating once more.”

The indictment has “ensured” that Trump would be the Republican presidential nominee “and certain get reelection” in 2024, Johnson added.

Rep. Barry Moore, a conservative Republican who has endorsed Trump, defended Republicans who’ve attacked Bragg earlier than seeing any proof towards Trump. Moore stated the indictment “smells fairly fishy.”

Requested if he would contemplate re-evaluating after seeing proof, Moore replied, “I am open to pondering that. However I am within the rubbish enterprise, you recognize, and so a variety of occasions, I understand how to identify a pile of rubbish, and this factor seems to be like a pile of rubbish.”

He predicted that the indictment may really assist Trump’s presidential possibilities. Moore himself was indicted and finally discovered not responsible on perjury prices in 2014, when he was a member of the Alabama State Home.

“After I used to be indicted, that weekend, we had extra folks knock doorways than any time in our marketing campaign,” he added. “… We did, as a result of the folks noticed it for what it was. I believe the American folks see this for what it’s.”

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