Senate Republicans are less vocal than their House counterparts regarding Donald Trump’s indictment.
Senate Republicans React to Trump’s Indictment: A Muted Response
Multiple Senate Republicans have responded to the news of former President Donald Trump’s federal indictment with regards to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent Capitol riot on January 6th. However, the reaction from Senate Republicans has been more muted and splintered compared to their counterparts in the House.
While House GOP lawmakers were quick to condemn the charges, most Senate Republicans have chosen to remain silent. The response has been trickling in throughout the evening, but it is far from the overwhelming support that Trump has received from House Republicans.
Waiting for Wednesday: Senate Republicans Hold Off on Statements
Offices for two GOP senators known for their defense of the former president have stated that they will wait until at least Wednesday to weigh in on the indictment. Representatives for two Trump-allied Senate Republicans have also decided to hold off on releasing statements, with no specific time frames for when they will change their stance. Additionally, three other senators did not respond to requests for comment.
“The American people have lost faith in Biden’s Justice Department. They are uncomfortable watching the current president weaponize the justice system against his political opponent,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who chairs the Senate Republican Conference. “The Justice Department’s own flimsy deal to save Biden’s son didn’t even hold up in court. This two-tiered system of justice is wrong. The country deserves better.”
“Again and again, the Biden administration has weaponized the justice system to target his chief political opponent,” posted Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Joe Biden’s continued abuse of power must be confronted by Congress and his administration must be held accountable.”
Many Senate Republicans who did speak out after the charges were announced argued that they represent a “two-tiered” system of justice that unfairly targets their side of the aisle. They pointed to the disparities between how Trump and Hunter Biden, the president’s son, have been treated.
Not all GOP senators agreed with this sentiment. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), a longtime Trump critic, emphasized the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence for all criminal defendants. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) acknowledged her previous vote to impeach Trump and urged caution before rushing to judgment on the indictment.
“Today, the former President has been indicted on four criminal counts. Like all Americans, he is innocent until proven guilty and will have his day in court,” wrote Murkowski on X. “As that process begins, I encourage everyone to read the indictment, to understand the very serious allegations being made in this case.”
The latest charges against Trump, unveiled by special counsel Jack Smith, focus on the allegation that Trump knowingly based his efforts to overturn the 2020 election on falsities. The indictment includes four counts related to the election case, as well as 40 counts in the Justice Department’s classified documents case against him.
Trump also faces legal exposure from an unrelated criminal investigation by Atlanta prosecutors for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the Capitol riot. Charges in that case are expected later this year.
Despite the charges, Trump has maintained his innocence and vowed to fight both sets of charges. The legal battles surrounding the former president are far from over.
Kaelan Deese and Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.
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