The reaction is now coming in on the indictment of former President Donald Trump.
People on the right are universally condemning this action by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg as a politically motivated prosecution. Trump has already weighed in, proclaiming his innocence and noting how they have been trying to get him, ever since he came down the elevator and posed an impediment to their lust for power.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blasted the indictment as “political persecution” and he also pointed out the great harm it did to the rule of law: “This is completely unprecedented and is a catastrophic escalation in the weaponization of the justice system.”
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) was succinct. “Outrageous,” he said, nothing more being necessary.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) let Alvin Bragg have it and said he would be held to account.
“Alvin Bragg has irreparably damaged our country in an attempt to interfere in our Presidential election,” McCarthy proclaimed. “As he routinely frees violent criminals to terrorize the public, he weaponized our sacred system of justice against President Donald Trump. The American people will not tolerate this injustice, and the House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account.”
Perhaps the most anticipated comment was from Trump’s presumed Republican rival in the 2024 primary race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head,” DeSantis declared.
“It is un-American.
“The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent.”
This was similar to what he said when the news first broke a couple of weeks ago about the possible indictment when he attacked Bragg. However, at that time, he also took a shot at Trump in his statement. This time he didn’t do that.
But DeSantis also said something now that he had not before that may or may not become important, something that some on the right were hoping he’d say before.
“Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda,” DeSantis said.
That’s a big statement and a big card to throw out there. As a practical matter, it may not come into play, as Trump and his attorney are likely to arrange for the scheduling to turn himself in. Trump will get bailed out and be out relatively quickly. We’ll have to see how it ultimately plays out.
But it was important for DeSantis to say it, for the principle of fighting against the unfair prosecution in this case. The important thing at this point is to stand against this effort against Trump as a block, because never have we been so close to becoming a banana republic under these Democrats who’ll clearly stop at nothing to help preserve their own power.