TALAHASEE, Fla. — A historic week of presidential politics opened the door to an uncertain future in the 2024 election cycle. The frontrunner in the Republican primary has been charged with a federal crime. His opponents are now divided on how to deal with it. And, a newcomer entered the race, prompting some experts to question why.
Federal officials formally arrested and charged former President Donald Trump in a Miami court Tuesday. If Trump is convicted of mishandling classified U.S. documents, he faces years in prison, though he has pleaded not guilty to everything. Despite overwhelming evidence, Trump claimed the allegations were political.
“Today,” Trump said in New Jersey After his court appearance, “we have witnessed the most nefarious and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country.”
In posts online — the ex-president continued the narrative. He has also taken tough action against those who believe the allegations are serious and likely to be condemned.That included Trump’s former attorney general, William Barr, who suggested this week His old boss may be “toasting”.
“Almost everyone is saying that the False Indictment is about election interference and shouldn’t have been filed,” Trump said in a video on Friday. postal“Except for Bill Barr, a disgruntled employee, a very weak man and a very lazy Attorney General – completely ineffective.”
While the candidate continues to light up social media with a firestorm of criticism, his campaign has been raising money for the prosecution. Officials bombarded supporters’ inboxes with emails offering shirts, videos and donations. The campaign reportedly raised more than $6.6 million in one week.
“Trump’s response was, in fact, typical Trump,” said University of South Florida political science professor Josh Skako. “It’s about fighting back. It’s about fundraising. It’s about denial, it’s about distraction. That’s what he did.”
Republican opponents are divided on how to handle the indictment. Over time, however, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie all took issue with the ex-president’s legal status. critical attitude.
“How about blaming him,” Christie said CNN In this week’s town hall discussion. “He did this. He took documents he wasn’t supposed to take. When they asked them to come back, he kept them. He got a grand jury subpoena. He refused to comply…”
Others defended Trump. Vivek Ramaswamy is one of them.he is now calling for other candidates ensure If elected, Trump would be pardoned.
“I have asked all the other candidates in this race to either sign this pardon pledge on January 20, 2025 or explain why they don’t,” Ramaswamy said Tuesday outside a Miami courthouse. Do.”
Meanwhile, the Florida governor was more conservative in his comments. He has often touted his own presidential goals without rebutting Trump’s claims of injustice.
“We’re going to remove political bias,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said after signing the state budget. Thursday“And, we will end the weaponization of the federal government.”
It’s unclear what impact the indictment will have vote. Trump continues to lead with a double-digit lead in the latest episode.
Speaking of running, Miami mayor Francis Suarez became the latest Republican to jump into the crowded field of Republican presidential candidates on Thursday.In his official announcement he told supporters why he was running speech At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
“It’s time for a leader with a track record of real results, not just rhetoric, who believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream and who wants to share it with everyone, regardless of race, religion or color,” Suarez said. Now is the time for a leader who can connect with the parts of our country that Republicans have historically lost, like young voters and urban voters, and the parts we can gain, like Hispanics and suburban women.”
Pundits see Suarez as hopeless and wonder whether the mayor is simply framing a future White House attempt in 2028 or 2032.
“Running for president in the United States is a daunting task,” said Sean Foreman, a political science professor at Barry University. “The fact that you have to travel across the country and meet so many different constituents and raise funds doesn’t just happen in a few months.”
This news collected fromSource link