GOP Voters Express Discontent Over Trump’s Prosecution but Contemplate Other 2024 Candidates

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Working from her spot in an Iowa coffee shop, Kathleen Evenhouse expressed her disdain for the federal criminal indictment against Donald Trump, which she views as overtly political and indicative of a U.S. Justice Department steeped in duplicity.

“We seem to be playing a game as a nation,” remarked the 72-year-old author from Pella, expressing a sentiment prevalent amongst conservatives following the indictment of the ex-president. Her words question the integrity of the justice system and challenge the value of voting, watching the news, or caring about the unfolding political events.

Despite her frustrations, Evenhouse intends to participate in Iowa’s leading Republican presidential caucuses next year. Her discontent over Trump’s predicament does not translate into backing for the former president.

In early voting states, many voters feel Trump is facing prejudiced treatment. Widespread distrust towards the Justice Department and their pursuit of Trump on charges of illegal storage of classified documents is prevalent, but some constituents in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina believe Trump has been too compromised to secure a third nomination from his party.

“If you’re stuck in a pit, it’s harder to climb out. That’s where I think Trump finds himself,” opined Evenhouse.

The argument that Trump has been unjustly singled out while others found in possession of classified documents received differential treatment overlooks key disparities. Notably, President Joe Biden, ex-Vice President Mike Pence, and others complied with federal officials upon the discovery of such documents, while Trump, facing a 37-count indictment in a Miami federal court, allegedly defied a federal subpoena and attempted to mislead the Justice Department.

Resentment has been fomented not just by Trump himself, but also by some conservative commentators, Republican congress members, and White House contenders. Republicans recognizing the contrasting situations have remained relatively subdued.

It remains to be seen whether this anger will convert into votes for Trump when presidential voting commences next year. The issue is less about diminished affection for Trump, and more about the turmoil causing voters to doubt his chances of success.

Karen Szelest, a 76-year-old from Indian Land, South Carolina, and a Trump supporter, reflected on the situation, saying, “I think they’re doing everything they can to prevent him from running for president. And I think, for the good of the country, I may consider voting for someone else because they persistently target Trump.”

The decision of the Justice Department to proceed with the indictment, marking a first for a former president, let alone one accused of mishandling top-secret information, represented a significant turning point in the presidential campaign.

Trump faces 37 felony charges, many under the Espionage Act, accusing him of illegally storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and attempting to conceal them from investigators. After pleading not guilty, Trump continued to portray himself as a victim of a politically motivated department trying to prevent his return to a presidency he believes was unlawfully taken from him in 2020.

Of the approximately 20 early-state voters interviewed recently, many devoted their time to critiquing what they see as the department’s political agenda.

“The double standards applied to a conservative, especially Donald Trump, are infuriating,” stated Sue VanEe, a 68-year-old retired farmer. “They’re entirely different. It’s like day and night.”

President Biden has claimed to have had no communication with the Justice Department or the special prosecutor about any part of the investigation before the indictment was revealed.

The Big Big News interviews conducted post Trump’s court appearance echoed pervasive skepticism among Republicans. This reflects a partisan divide in public perception of the case. According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll, 48% of Americans believe Trump should be charged compared to 35% who believe he shouldn’t. Simultaneously, 47% of adults consider the charges politically motivated, compared to 37% who disagree.

Most Republicans, however, believed Trump should not be charged, with 80% of them thinking the charges are politically driven, as per the ABC poll.

Recent polls consistently show Trump as the initial front-runner among Republicans for the upcoming elections.

The challenge for Trump lies in preserving this lead amidst his legal battles. His hopes are fueled by Republican-leaning voters such as Kelly White from Indian Land who declared, “This makes me want to support him more.”

Many argue the accusations against Trump are downplayed, pointing out the perceived double standard, as seen in the case of the private email server of Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, in her private New York residence. Charges of mishandling classified documents weren’t pursued by the Justice Department as they didn’t fit the criteria established by Espionage Act cases from the past.

At a farmer’s market in Bedford, New Hampshire, Tom Zapora, a Republican business owner, noted that previous presidents, in his view, have done worse than Trump, yet have largely escaped scrutiny.

In Iowa’s predominantly Republican Marion County, the investigation was not a top concern for voters at a campaign event for Trump’s contender, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Gina Singer, a 58-year-old engineer and loyal Trump supporter, expressed the indictment as a distraction from the critical task of choosing a nominee capable of defeating Biden next year. Despite her irritation with what she sees as a double standard, she’s uncertain if Trump can overcome the mounting suspicion, leading her to consider a new generation candidate for the party.

“I support everything he stands for, and I want his policies to be enacted,” said Singer. “But, they’ll just keep attacking him. Therefore, I’m considering someone else. Both sentiments can coexist.”

Contributors to this report include Big Big News writer Holly Ramer in Bedford, New Hampshire, and video journalist Erik Verduzco in Indian Land, South Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Republican voter sentiment

More about Republican voter sentiment

• ABC News/Ipsos poll on Trump’s indictment
• Recent updates on Donald Trump’s legal battles
• Understanding the U.S. Justice Department’s role in Trump’s indictment
• More on the 2024 Presidential Election
• Background on the Espionage Act
• Details about Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort
• Coverage of Republican sentiments in the 2024 elections