Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress leap into action on charges after months of preparation

Former President Donald Trump’s federal indictment for mishandling classified documents is unfolding in a Florida court, but his defense is already in full swing in the halls of Congress. Over the past several months, Republicans have been diligently preparing to launch an aggressive counter-offensive against the Justice Department.

The recently unsealed federal indictment against Trump comprises 37 counts, including allegations that he deliberately possessed classified documents, showcased them to visitors, defied demands from the Justice Department to return them, and provided false statements to federal authorities. The evidence presented consists of Trump’s own words and actions, as recounted by lawyers, close aides, and other witnesses.

Rather than addressing the substance of the charges brought by a grand jury in Florida, Republican efforts to discredit federal prosecutors focus on fostering a broader narrative. They aim to portray law enforcement and President Joe Biden as conspiring against Trump, who is considered a potential Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.

“Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America,” tweeted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in response to Trump’s announcement on social media that an indictment was imminent. McCarthy promptly placed blame on Biden, who has refrained from commenting on the case and emphasized his lack of involvement in the Justice Department’s decisions.

McCarthy labeled the situation a “grave injustice” and pledged that House Republicans would hold accountable this brazen abuse of power.

Since taking the majority in January, Republican lawmakers in the House have already laid extensive groundwork for defending Trump. They have conducted numerous hearings featuring former FBI agents, Twitter executives, and federal officials, all aimed at constructing a narrative of a corrupt government misusing its powers against Trump and conservative ideals. Simultaneously, Republican-led House subcommittees have launched investigations into the “weaponization” of government agencies such as the Justice Department, while also probing Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son.

“This is a sad day for America,” remarked Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, a staunch Trump ally and defender who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. “God bless President Trump,” he added.

Representative Andy Biggs from Arizona took an even stronger stance, tweeting, “We have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye.”

Democrats argue that Republicans are perpetuating dangerous conspiracy theories. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both Democrats from New York, issued a joint statement calling for calm and urging that the Trump case be allowed to proceed peacefully in court.

“The recent Republican rhetoric not only undermines the Department of Justice but also betrays the fundamental principle of justice, which holds that no one, not even a former President or a self-proclaimed billionaire, is above the law,” expressed Representative Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

The key elements of the GOP strategy involve discrediting the prosecutors and investigating those conducting the investigation—a playbook Republicans previously utilized during Trump’s presidency when his own Justice Department probed his connections to Russia. They repeated the tactic in April when Trump faced charges in a hush money investigation in New York.

In the days leading up to the New York indictment, House Republicans launched a comprehensive campaign against Alvin Bragg, the Democratic district attorney in Manhattan responsible for prosecuting the former president. Accusing the prosecution of being politically motivated, Representative Jordan held a field hearing near Bragg’s New York offices to examine what Republicans characterized as his “pro-crime, anti-victim” policies. Jordan also serves as the ranking member of the weaponization subcommittee.

While special counsel Jack Smith was preparing to release the indictment, Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill were working tirelessly to mount a defense for the former president. Jordan sent a series of letters to the Justice Department, demanding documents related to their investigation into Trump’s handling of classified records. Jordan referenced the recent report by special counsel John Durham, which highlighted the FBI’s rushed investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign and its disregard for evidence contradicting its premise.

Shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Jordan sent another letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. This time, he detailed testimony from a former FBI official who testified before the committee about the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Jordan claimed that Steven D’Antuono, a former assistant director at the FBI’s Washington Field Office, informed the committee that the Justice Department “was not following the same principles” as in previous raids.

Defending Trump may also help alleviate tensions among House Republicans, who are facing internal turmoil on Capitol Hill. A conservative-led revolt over the recent debt ceiling deal divided the party and halted the passage of most legislation on the floor.

However, regardless of Republicans’ ability to shape public perception of the investigations, they cannot control the outcome of Trump’s trial. The former president faces significant legal jeopardy, irrespective of public opinion, with two indictments against him and potential additional charges as prosecutors in Georgia and Washington investigate his actions leading up to the January 6 insurrection.

Nonetheless, some Republicans believe that the multiple indictments could boost Trump’s standing in polls among Republican voters and solidify the perception that the government is conspiring against him.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina told CNN that she believes the indictment has “handed Donald Trump the nomination” for the 2024 GOP primary.

As the House panel intensifies its efforts to defend the former president, the term “weaponization” has become prevalent among Trump’s Republican allies. Nearly every GOP lawmaker, as well as a member of Trump’s legal team, used the term before the charges were unsealed.

James Trusty, one of Trump’s lawyers, stated on ABC that it “puts a stamp of reality on something that really is unreal in terms of the weaponization of the Department of Justice.” Trump later announced Trusty’s departure from his legal team.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted that “the weaponization of our Department of Justice against enemies of the Biden administration will do enormous damage to the rule of law and have a lasting impact.”

Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and others who have criticized the former president opted to remain silent on the indictment. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, the only GOP senator who voted to convict Trump in both impeachment trials, offered rare criticism. While Romney emphasized that Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, he also stated that he considers the charges serious and believes Trump brought them upon himself.

Romney remarked, “These allegations are serious and, if proven, would be consistent with his other actions offensive to the national interest.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress: Indictment defense

More about Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress: Indictment defense

• Former President Trump’s Indictment on Mishandling Classified Documents
• Republican Campaign to Discredit Federal Prosecutors
• House Republicans’ Efforts to Defend Trump
• Democrats’ Response to Republican Defense
• Legal Risks and Investigations Faced by Trump
• Republicans’ Belief in the Impact of Indictments on Trump’s Standing