Trump Responds to Federal Indictment with Fiery Political Attacks on Biden’s Justice Department
Former President Returns to Campaign Trail with Indicted Advisor
On Saturday, Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail, accompanied by indicted adviser Walt Nauta. The former president called his own federal indictment “election interference.” He told Georgia Republicans that the accusation represented an abuse of power by the Biden administration. The rally was his first public response after the Justice Department went public with its allegations that the former president and an aide mishandled classified documents.
Trump, who is seen as the favorite for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential bid, faces a total of 37 charges, including 31 counts of willful withholding of national defense information. Nauta, Trump’s “bodyguard” or personal aide, who is often at the former president’s side, faces six charges, including several related to obstruction and concealment.
Trump Denies Doing Anything Wrong and Criticizes Biden Administration
In an 80-minute speech in Georgia, Trump denied doing anything wrong and described the investigation as “a sad day for the country.” He indicated that investigations into election interference efforts in Georgia and his actions around Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington could raise new legal issues.
Trump also told the Georgia audience that any other Republican leading the party’s 2024 ticket would face similar scrutiny and legal challenges. “Anyone else? They’re not going to withstand that fire,” he said.
Speeches Show Trump Responding with Political Attacks on Biden’s Justice Department
Speeches in Georgia and North Carolina demonstrated how Trump is responding. With fiery political attacks on Biden’s Justice Department before friendly audiences, he mounts battles on both the political and legal fronts.
“The ridiculous and baseless accusation against me by the Biden administration’s Department of Justice will go down in history as one of the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country,” the former president said. Trump expanded on that message during remarks at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro later on Saturday.
“I stand before you today as the only candidate who has what it takes to crush this corrupt system and truly drain the swamp,” Trump said, “and I’m the only one you don’t want doing it.”
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s return to the campaign trail with indicted advisor Walt Nauta saw the former president respond with a fiery attack on the Biden administration. His first public response after the Justice Department went public with its allegations saw him deny wrongdoing and describe the investigation as “a sad day for the country.” Trump’s speeches demonstrate how he is responding to both the political and legal fronts. He is mounting battles against any Republican leading the party’s 2024 ticket, claiming they would face similar scrutiny and legal challenges, adding that he is the only candidate who can crush the corrupt system and drain the swamp once and for all.
Former President Donald Trump indicted on charges
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on charges linked to the alleged retention of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is set to appear before a federal court in Miami on Tuesday, where the charges will be read. The indictment was made public on Friday, and special counsel Jack Smith urged Americans to read it carefully to understand the gravity of the charges.
Trump dismisses allegations as politically motivated
Speaking in Georgia on Saturday, Trump called the case against him a “joke” and referred to Jack Smith as “insane.” He also said he does not anticipate taking a plea deal if offered and expressed confidence that he will still be in the running for the 2024 presidency, regardless of the outcome of the case.
Concern builds as Trump aides acknowledge the legal implications
Trump’s aides have been making rounds of phone calls to rally support for the former president, but concern has been building since Friday as the legal implications of the indictment became apparent. While they think Trump may benefit in the short term politically, they are more cautious about how the impeachment will play out legally.
History of legal issues
Trump has long avoided legal culpability in his personal, professional and political life, settling civil lawsuits and avoiding conviction by the Senate on two occasions when he was impeached by the House of Representatives. However, since leaving office, investigations into alleged retention of classified information and attempts to overturn the 2020 election have cast shadows over the former president.
Other legal challenges
In March, the Manhattan district attorney indicted Trump on charges related to alleged hush money payments to a former adult star. District Attorney Fani Willis is also investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia, and is expected to announce any charges in August. On Saturday, Trump dismissed the Willis investigation as politically motivated.
Former President Donald Trump speaks in Columbus, Georgia. (Credit: Megan Varner/Reuters)
Trump pressures Georgia Secretary of State to find votes in his favor
Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, has been accused of pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, also a Republican, in 2021, to “find” votes to overturn the election results after he narrowly lost the state to Joe Biden. Trump’s unfounded and debunked conspiracy theories about the Georgia election have persisted since his defeat, despite the state’s three certifications of the election results under Raffensperger’s direction, which found no evidence of massive voter fraud.
Rivals show support for Trump
On the campaign trail, many of Trump’s Republican presidential rivals have shown support for the former president, indicating that they see advantages in defending him to the party’s conservative base. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has accused the Justice Department of “weaponizing” federal law enforcement, while former Vice President Mike Pence called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to go before the American people and explain the impeachment proceedings.
Pence also encouraged patience as the judicial system runs its course and asked the audience at the North Carolina Republican Party convention to pray for Trump and his family. Meanwhile, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley described the prosecution as “prosecutor overreach” and emphasized the importance of moving “beyond the endless drama and distractions.” North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum suggested that Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents is not a priority for voters and that the focus should be on issues such as the economy, energy policy, and homeland security.
Disapproval from Trump’s critics
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has emerged as Trump’s main critic in the 2024 race, described the details of the impeachment as “damning” and characterized Trump’s conduct as “completely self-inflicted.” Christie also raised the question of whether this is the kind of behavior voters want from someone seeking the presidency.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has called on Trump to drop out of the race “for the good of the country,” citing the unprecedented nature of a former president being criminally charged for mishandling classified information and obstruction of justice. Hutchinson argued that Trump’s candidacy would be a significant distraction for the country.
Overall, Trump’s rivals and critics have divergent views on his impeachment and candidacy. While Trump retains significant support among the Republican base, his critics argue that his conduct disqualifies him from the presidency.
— Contributions from CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Kate Sullivan, Steve Contorno, Kimberly Berryman, Alayna Treene, Paula Reid, Jeremy Herb, Evan Perez, Gregory Krieg, Veronica Stracqualursi, Adrienne Winston, Kit Maher, Daniel Dale, and Sydney Kashiwagi.
