The unprecedented second accusation of former President Donald Trump could have serious implications for the ongoing 2024 presidential raceCBS News political director Fin Gomez said Thursday.
Two US officials confirmed the charges stemming from the federal investigation into Trump’s handling of sensitive government documents after he left the White House to CBS News, as did Trump’s lawyer.
The decision of March of a New York grand jury to indict Trump because of the circumstances surrounding a “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 did not hurt Trump’s favorability ratings in the polls, Gomez told the Chief Correspondent on Thursday CBS News at the White House, Nancy Cordes.
“If you look at the Manhattan DA case, [Trump’s] The poll numbers pushed him right after that,” Gomez said, adding that this fact was not lost on rival Republican campaign sources.
Thursday’s new indictment, however, could have more serious implications for Trump, Gomez said.
“This is a little more serious, obviously. This is a federal case. Federal charges could be possible,” Gomez said, noting that rival sources “believe that in the long run, as the cycle continues, it could hurt. [Trump] to the point where it could knock him off that podium, if you will, of being the front runner.”
A pair of 2024 GOP candidates responded to news of the indictment Thursday night. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, noting in a statement that this is Trump’s second impeachment, said that “his willful disregard for the Constitution and his disrespect for the rule of law, should not to define our nation or the Republican Party.” He suggested the criminal proceedings would be “a huge distraction” and called on Trump “to respect the office and end his campaign.”
Vivek Ramaswamy defended the former president, declaring, “I never thought we’d see the day when the president of the United States would replace the DOJ to arrest his main rival in the middle of an election,” and said that if he wins the presidency, he d immediately pardon Trump.
The exact nature of the charges, the first to emerge from special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations, was not immediately clear. But three sources familiar with the case said the former president has been indicted on a seven-count indictment involving withholding national defense information, conspiracy and obstruction.
So is Trump he faces 34 felonies of falsifying business records in New York state court, ia judgment in this case will begin on March 25, 2024, in the middle of the presidential campaign. He pleaded not guilty to charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The Republican field for the 2024 election grew substantially this week, with a number of Republicans joining or hinting at joining the race. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum launched their campaigns this week.
Sources close to former Texas Republican Rep. Will Hurd told CBS News that Hurd is nearing a decision. Hurd, also a former CIA officer, has been seriously considering a career for a couple of months.
Another potential candidate is two-term Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who has been openly considering a run for several months. A senior GOP party source said Suarez has moved toward declaring his candidacy, Gomez said.
in three publications On his Truth Social account on Thursday, Trump said he was informed by Justice Department lawyers that he was indicted for the “cheat box fraud” and that he has been summoned to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday.
“I never thought something like this could happen to a former president of the United States, who received far more votes than any sitting president in the history of our country, and currently leads by far all the candidates, both Democrats . and Republican, in the polls for the 2024 presidential election. I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!” he stated
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