(Reuters) – Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury following an investigation into hush-hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, becoming the first former US President to be prosecuted.
The charges from an investigation led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg come as Trump seeks the Republican nomination for a 2024 re-run.
Below is the response to the prosecution’s message:
TRUMP SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT HE IS “COMPLETELY INNOCENT”:
“This is political persecution and electoral interference at the highest level in history.”
FLORIDA GOVERNOR AND POTENTIAL CHALLENGER FOR THE 2024 REPUBLICANS NOMINATION, RON DESANTIS ON TWITTER:
“Arming the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. This is un-American,” he wrote.
“Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances…”
TRUMP’S FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AND POTENTIAL CHALLENGER FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION MIKE PENCE ON CNN:
“I think that’s an outrage, but I also think that at a time when the American people are struggling so much, this will only serve to further divide our country.”
US SENATE MAJOR LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER, A DEMOCRAT, IN A STATEMENT:
“Mr. Trump is subject to the same laws as any American. He will use the legal system and a jury, not politics, to determine his fate according to the facts and the law.”
“I encourage both critics and supporters of Mr. Trump to let the trial proceed peacefully and in accordance with the law.”
TRUMP’S FORMER AMBASSADOR TO THE UN AND CANDIDATE FOR REPUBLICAN NOMINATION NIKKI HALEY ON TWITTER:
“This is more about revenge than justice.”
TRUMP’S FORMER ATTORNEY RUDY GIULIANI ON TWITTER:
“The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has been indicted by a grand jury in New York after District Attorney Alvin Bragg irresponsibly and politically motivated attempted to bring him down. A sad day for America.”
FORMER SPEAKER OF THE US HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI, A DEMOCRATIC, IN A STATEMENT:
“The grand jury acted on the facts and the law. No one is above the law and everyone has the right to a trial to prove their innocence. Hopefully the former president peacefully respects the system that gives him that right.”
DEMOCRATIC US REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF ON TWITTER:
“The indictment against a former president is unprecedented. But also the illegal behavior in which Trump was involved. A nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even if they hold high office. Especially if they do otherwise is not a democracy.”
MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER ATTORNEY TO TRUMP, ON MSNBC:
“Today’s indictment isn’t the end of the chapter, it’s just the beginning… Accountability is really important.”
REPUBLICAN US SENATOR TED CRUZ ON TWITTER:
“The hatred of the Democratic Party for Donald Trump knows no bounds. The ‘substance’ of this political persecution is utter rubbish. This is completely unprecedented and a catastrophic escalation in the arming of the justice system.”
(Compiled by Costas Pitas and Anna Driver)
Source : news.yahoo.com