Lawmakers were quick to react following the news that former President Donald Trump had been indicted on charges connected to his handling of classified documents.
The reaction largely fell along party lines, with Republicans flocking to support the former president and denounce the investigation as partisan, and Democrats using the news to criticize the 2024 GOP presidential candidate.
“The criminal prosecution of political adversaries is something that Third World countries do, and it’s the sort of thing that the United States of America used to be against,” Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) said in a statement sent out minutes after Trump broke the news of his indictment on Truth Social.
“Trump’s apparent indictment on multiple charges arising from his retention of classified materials is another affirmation of the rule of law,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a former Trump impeachment manager and a member of the high-profile Jan. 6 committee, wrote on Twitter. “For four years, he acted like he was above the law. But he should be treated like any other lawbreaker. And today, he has been,” Schiff added.
“Sad day for America. God Bless President Trump,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) tweeted.
“No one is above the law,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) posted.
“The chaos of Trump continues,” Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio)said on Twitter. “What he’s doing to this country, the extremism and danger he and his allies present, has to end. Only when those who support and enable him decide to be done with this toxic behavior, will this all be behind us.”
Multiple GOP lawmakers accused the Justice Department of attempting to interfere in the 2024 election, in which Trump is currently the Republican frontrunner.
“Democrats must literally shake with sweats when they see amazing packed out Trump rallies and overwhelming winning poll numbers week after week,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote in a lengthy tweet. “We must win in 2024,” she added.
“This phony Boxes Hoax indictment against President Trump reflects the most severe election interference on the part of the federal government that we have EVER seen!” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.) wrote on Twitter.
Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) called the charges “bogus,” accusing the Biden administration of attempting to undermine “Biden’s chief political opponent, President Trump.”
