Utah Sen. Mike Lee suggested on social media Trump’s indictment is politically motivated.
FILE – Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, April 27, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. Trump’s defiant performance at the CNN town hall may ultimately hurt his standing with key groups of voters in next fall’s general election. But he also demonstrated his extraordinary grip on the voters who will decide the GOP’s looming 2024 nomination fight. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Miami, Fl • Donald Trump said Tuesday he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, igniting a federal prosecution that is arguably the most perilous of multiple legal threats against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House.
The Justice Department did not immediately publicly confirm the indictment.
Trump is currently in Bedminster, New Jersey. A person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly said Trump’s lawyers were contacted by prosecutors shortly before he announced on his Truth Social platform that he had been indicted.
Trump said he is due in court Tuesday afternoon in Miami.
Some Utah Republicans reacted to the news as reports of Trump’s indictment trickled out Thursday evening.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee posted on his personal @BasedMikeLee Twitter account, “Sitting president indicts leading challenger. Totally normal.”
He included a short video of women dancing in tropical attire and holding gigantic bananas, implying the government was acting like a banana republic. Last year, Lee lashed out at the Department of Justice when the FBI conducted a search for classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
Former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes, one of Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters, was dismayed by the former president’s indictment.
“It’s sad and pathetic,” Hughes said to The Tribune in a text message. Hughes is a candidate to replace Rep. Chris Stewart in the upcoming special election.
Sen. Mitt Romney’s office said they were withholding comment until the indictment against Trump is made public. Romney has been one of Trump’s biggest critics and has said Trump is unfit to be president.
Former Republican state Rep. Becky Edwards, who is also a candidate in November’s special congressional election, said in a statement to The Tribune that the legal process must be allowed to play out.
“I deeply respect the law of the land and firmly believe it applies to all Americans. When a law is broken, due process must be ensured, and I support the courts to that end,” Edwards’ statement said.
