The indictment against Trump creates divisions among Republicans

2023-06-19 16:42:03, Kosova & Bota CNA

The indictment against former President Donald Trump for his unauthorized possession of classified materials is causing some division among Republicans. VOA correspondent Veronica Balderas Iglesias summarizes some of the statements made over the weekend.

Although former President Donald Trump pleaded "not guilty" last week to charges of purposeful and unauthorized possession of classified documents, the latest indictment against him continues to fuel heated debate among members of the Republican party.

Former President Trump pleads not guilty/ Denies the charges in court
June 13, 22:28

Republican presidential candidate and former prosecutor Asa Hutchinson said Trump should withdraw from the presidential race.

"When you have the challenge of multiple investigations over the course of the next year, it's not fair to the country, and it's certainly not fair to our party that wants to get this country back on track."

Interviewed by NBC, former Vice President Mike Pence, who is also running for president, asked why contenders in the Republican primaries assume Trump will be found guilty.

"All we know is what the president is accused of in the indictment. We do not know what are the arguments of his defense. We don't know if this case will go to trial. The indictments can be declared invalid".

Appearing on the CNN channel, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Turner, underlined the importance of the development of the legal process.

"Of course I'm not going to defend the conduct that's alleged in that indictment, but they're going to have to prove it."

White House: President Biden, 'not involved' in the allegations against Donald Trump
June 13, 20:59

President Joe Biden, who kicked off his re-election campaign this weekend, has declined to comment on Trump's legal challenges. Mr. Biden is obeying the rules that protect the investigation, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse explained on the ABC channel.

"He is not cooperating with Attorney General Garland. He does not talk to her about criminal matters. And secondly, Mr. Garland himself is excluded from this case because he appointed a special counsel. And his ability to engage with the special counsel is extremely limited."

President Biden is himself under investigation for unauthorized possession of classified documents. But even if he is found guilty, he may not face charges since historically the position of the Department of Justice has been not to sue sitting presidents./ VOA