Indictment ignored and Trump barely mentioned as GOP candidates pitch Iowa voters to challenge him

The new federal indictment faced by Donald Trump was hardly acknowledged, and his name was rarely mentioned as Republican presidential candidates assembled in Iowa on Sunday, positioning themselves as alternatives to Trump.

In a two-hour event, seven aspiring GOP candidates addressed approximately 800 party enthusiasts at Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson’s fundraising barbecue held at a Cedar Rapids racetrack, all aiming to challenge Trump for the 2024 nomination.

Despite the indictment on Tuesday that accused Trump of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, the candidates acted as though it had never occurred. Even one who had earlier proposed that Trump withdraw from the race did not mention it.

Instead, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, a known critic of Trump, spoke only of the GOP’s dissatisfaction with the Department of Justice, alleging it had shown political bias in its investigation of Trump. Additional charges were also levied at Trump in June for unlawfully retaining confidential documents in his Florida residence and hindering their retrieval.

On Sunday, Hutchinson merely advocated for the reformation of the Department of Justice and promised to appoint a new attorney general who would enforce the law fairly, garnering appreciative applause.

Even Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had cautioned that Republicans risk losing by reiterating Trump’s unverified claims that the 2020 election was stolen, only stated, “The time for excuses is over.”

Despite the silence on these matters, Trump remains a popular figure among Iowa Republican caucus voters. A poll showed him significantly ahead of his nearest competitor, with all other possible challengers, except DeSantis, garnering single-digit support.

However, Trump’s standing in Iowa might be slightly weaker than it is on a national level.

Throughout the campaign’s early stages, Republican strategists have advised against direct attacks on Trump, since such criticism could alienate voters who support him but are also open to other candidates.

DeSantis, Hutchinson, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, conservative radio host Larry Elder, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy made their cases without mentioning Trump at all.

Only two individuals, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, mentioned Trump by name. Haley referred to him in a story about her time serving under him, while Johnson, who had previously pledged to pardon Trump after he was indicted in New York, expressed his disapproval of the way candidates were treated.

Johnson stated, “I think that it’s unfair that we start picking on our candidates and letting the Democrats decide who should be running,” reflecting a sentiment among some that the focus should shift away from past grievances.

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