(NewsNation) – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has called former President Donald Trump’s impeachment a “poisonous political hit.”
“Why are they charging President Trump,” Blagojevich questioned during an appearance on “NewsNation Prime” on Sunday. “It’s so blatantly political. This is a poisonous political hit by a gun-toting prosecutor who engages in political meddling in an election year.”
Trump was indicted on Thursday in the case related to his handling of classified documents. The Justice Department unsealed the indictment on Friday, revealing 37 counts that accuse Trump of willfully defying Justice Department demands to turn over classified documents, recruiting aides to hide records and telling lawyers he wanted to defy a subpoena.
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Special counsel Jack Smith took over the investigation in November and recently spoke out about criticism of the case.
“Adherence to the rule of law is a core principle of the Department of Justice. And our nation’s commitment to the rule of law is an example to the world. We have a set of laws in this country and we they apply to everyone,” Smith said.
“Applying these laws, gathering facts, that’s what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Blagojevich insists some criminal prosecutors are “injecting themselves into the political process.”
“If you don’t like Trump, vote against him. But don’t prosecute him for things that really aren’t crimes at all,” Blagojevich told NewsNation’s Natasha Zouves. “In fact, if they are anything, it’s a civil matter.”
Trump earlier commuted Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence was serving on corruption charges related to Blagojevich’s attempt to sell the Senate seat once vacated by former President Barack Obama. Blagojevich ended up serving eight years. He has maintained his innocence and continued to support Trump.
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“It’s hard for me to be impartial,” Blagojevich said. “I have great respect for President Trump, for what he did for me. He turned what was a nightmare and stopped it.”
Blagojevich continued: “When I see what this guy Jack Smith is doing to President Trump, it’s déjà vu all over again.”
According to the Department of Justice, Trump possessed documents containing military and nuclear secrets. Bill Barr, who served as attorney general under Trump, said suggesting the former president is the victim of a “witch hunt” is “ridiculous.”
“It’s a very detailed indictment. And it’s very, very damning,” Barr told Fox News’ Shannon Bream on Sunday. “And this idea of presenting Trump as a victim here, a victim of a witch hunt is ridiculous.”
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“Yes, he has been a victim in the past. Yes, his adversaries have obsessively pursued him with false claims, and I have stood by his side defending them when he is a victim,” he added. “But this is very different. He’s not a victim here.”
Trump is the first former US president to face federal criminal charges. He is scheduled to appear in federal court Tuesday in Miami.
The Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
