WASHINGTON, D.C. — The latest indictment against former President Trump on Tuesday over his role on January 6, 2021 quickly divided the Republican presidential candidates running against him.
Some said Trump should step away from the campaign for the “good of the country.” But the former president’s biggest rival – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – said the new indictment proves the federal government has been weaponized.
UNFAIR “SWAMP” JURY
“While I’ve seen reports, I have not read the indictment,” DeSantis wrote on Twitter. “I do, though, believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right to remove cases from Washington, DC to their home districts.”
“Washington, DC is a ‘swamp’ and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality,” DeSantis added.
As President, I will end the weaponization of government, replace the FBI Director, and ensure a single standard of justice for all Americans.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 1, 2023
While I’ve seen reports, I have not read the indictment. I do, though, believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right…
Trump’s third indictment by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. outlines four charges that are the most serious ever brought against a former U.S. president.
“Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power,” the indictment states. “So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won.”
Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
In a statement, Trump’s campaign said the charges were a “witch hunt” that “will fail.”
“President Trump will not be deterred by disgraceful and unprecedented political targeting!” the campaign said.
Donald Trump will make his first federal court appearance on Thursday. The case is handled by Obama-appointed Judge Tanya Chutkan in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia.
