Former Vice President Mike Pence complained on Sunday Possibility of arrest of his former bossDonald Trump said it would be “a politically charged indictment”.
In posts on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump predicted that he would be arrested on Tuesday citing “illegal leaks” – which his spokesman later clarified, referring to media reports NBC News and other outlets.
In an interview with ABC News’ This Week, Pence said he sees the potential criminal charges against the former president as a priority for the “radical left.”
“It just feels like a politically charged indictment here. And I, for one, just feel like it’s just not what the American people want to see,” he said.
“I am stunned by the idea of indicting a former President of the United States at a time when there is a crime wave in New York City that — the fact that the Manhattan Attorney thinks the indictment against President Trump is his top priority,” he added.
Without any service of charge, the former President, in his truth social posts, cited reports he could soon face charges in New York for hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, and called on his supporters to protest. Hours later, he upped his calls for demonstrations in another post, writing, “WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!”
Despite his recent strong statements condemning Trump On Jan. 6, Pence did not push back on his latest call to protest. However, he said he believes the protesters understand “they must do this peacefully and lawfully.”
He called the violence during the Capitol riots and protests against police brutality following the death of George Floyd a “disgrace,” adding, “The American people will not tolerate this, and those who take part in this type of violence.” involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Some republican, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, rallied quickly in Trump’s defense on Saturday but stopped repeating his calls for protests. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., tweeted, “We don’t have to protest” and “these idiots are sealing their own fate in 2024.”
Sen. Mike Rounds, RS.D., did not criticize Trump’s call for protests Sunday when he was pressed by host Chuck Todd on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” about whether he thought it was “appropriate behavior” by a former president.
“Let me be clear that there is a difference between what the former President did on January 6th as President of the United States and his call for support in the Capitol and a single person today urging people to to protest if he is charged,” Rounds replied.
Asked if he was concerned that Trump’s call for protests is fueling suspicion, Rounds said, “Look, I don’t know if he’s fueling suspicion or not.”
“But of course we don’t know if that’s actually going to happen or not,” he said. “We don’t know if there will actually be any charges.”
Other Republicans came to Trump’s defense on Sunday broadcasts.
Kentucky Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, suggested the timing of Trump’s possible impeachment was suspect.
“It is very strange that this only came out the next day after I disclosed bank records showing that the Biden family, particularly the President, was not honest about his family receiving payments directly from the Chinese Communist Party was,” Comer said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. “So it almost looks like it’s an attempt to distract, but at least it’s another example of a two-tier justice system.”
Florida Sen. Rick Scott said “all Republicans” should get behind Trump.
“All Democrats hate Trump, there are some Republicans who hate Trump. Guess what? There is a double standard. You can do anything you want to Trump. Everyone agrees with that. But you can’t do it to Biden. There’s a complete double standard,” Scott said on Sunday Morning Futures.
While Democratic leaders have called Trump’s posts on Truth Social, they have called for protests.ruthless” And “flammable‘ Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. said that Trump’s supporters should be able to ‘peacefully’ protest if the former president is arrested.
Kelly said on CNN’s State of the Union that Trump supporters “have First Amendment rights and should be able to exercise them peacefully.” He added that law enforcement agencies must be prepared to ensure such protests do not “reach the scale of violence.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Source : news.yahoo.com