WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s federal indictment for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election have sparked mixed reactions from both his 2024 GOP rivals and Republican lawmakers in Congress.
The indictment − handed down on Tuesday − lists four charges against Trump: Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding, Obstruction of and Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding and Conspiracy Against Rights.
It details how Trump allegedly used fake electors to overturn President Joe Biden’s wins in several states, sought to obstruct a congressional proceeding on Jan. 6, 2021 and spread false election fraud claims knowingly, among other accusations.
While some Republicans have denounced the indictment, suggesting it is politically motivated, others have called it fair. There is not evidence that federal or state officials handling cases against Trump have sought to target his reelection bid.
Here’s a rundown of how lawmakers and presidential candidates reacted to the third indictment against the former president this year.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
McCarthy took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to accuse the Department of Justice of indicting Trump to distract the public from news about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings and his plea deal that fell apart in court last month.
He referenced − among other things − a detail from a testimony given by Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s former associate, to the House Oversight Committee a day before Trump was indicted.
“Everyone in America could see what was going to come next: DOJ’s attempt to distract from the news and attack the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, President Trump,” McCarthy wrote on X. “House Republicans will continue to uncover the truth about Biden Inc. and the two-tiered system of justice.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence
The Tuesday indictment detailed how Trump and his associates pressured Pence to reject the 2020 election results − which Pence refused to do − and demanded that Pence throw out some of Biden’s electoral votes and recognize Trump’s slate of alternate electors.
Pence in April was called to testify in front of the grand jury regarding Trump and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
“Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,” Pence said on X.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
DeSantis, who’s trails behind Trump in the GOP polls for the 2024 race, said on X that he hasn’t read the indictment, but appeared to allege the rule of law was politicized in the case.
“As President, I will end the weaponization of government, replace the FBI Director, and ensure a single standard of justice for all Americans,” DeSantis wrote.
He also called for reforms so people can remove cases from Washington to their home districts.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Greene − a staunch supporter of Trump − suggested that the indictment was politically motivated and tied to Joe Biden, according to a press release from her office. There is no evidence the president has ordered investigations into Trump.
Greene said that special counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw the investigation, “has abused his power,” and she has long sought to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Sen. Ted Cruz
Cruz alleged on X that the latest Trump indictment “is election interference by the Biden Department of Justice.”
“Whenever there’s a new development against Hunter and the Biden family, this politicized DOJ attacks Trump,” Cruz wrote. “And the media happily pivots to echo the Trump attacks.”
Cruz objected the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory and had pursued false claims of election fraud.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Christie − Trump’s most vocal critic − previously told USA TODAY that the insurrection at the Capitol was a circumstance that Trump created from election night forward, after he alleged that the election was stolen.
After Trump was indicted on Tuesday, Christie wrote on X that Trump “swore an oath to the Constitution, violated his oath & brought shame to his presidency.”
“The events around the White House from election night forward are a stain on our country’s history & a disgrace to the people who participated,” Christie wrote. “This disgrace falls the most on Donald Trump.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz
Gaetz wrote on X that Smith and his indictment will “forever go down in history as a total disgrace to the United States of America.”
Gaetz had introduced legislation to defund Smith’s investigation against Trump last month.
