Republican response to Donald Trump indictment, 2024 candidates so far largely avoids attacking
CBS News "Weaponization of federal law enforcement." "What we see is a justice system where the scales are weighted." "Deeply troubled to see this indictment move forward."
Former President Donald Trump's rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination walked a fine line between backing him and alienating his supporters in the hours after Trump announced he had been indicted on charges stemming from the federal investigation into his handling of sensitive government documents after he left the White House.
Before the 37-count indictment was unsealed Friday, the candidates were quick to go after the Justice Department rather than the former president. Trump is the first former president to be charged by the Justice Department, although the charges come just weeks after he was charged with 34 felony counts by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Trump can still run for president despite having been charged. As special counsel Jack Smith noted on Friday, defendants in America are "presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court of law."
