TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A historic week for presidential politics has opened the door to an uncertain future in the 2024 election cycle. The front-runner in the Republican primary was charged with federal crimes. His opponents are now mixed on how to handle it. And, a newcomer entered the race, leading some pundits to wonder why.
Federal officials arrested and formally charged former President Donald Trump inside a Miami courthouse on Tuesday. Trump faces years in prison if convicted of mishandling classified US documents, although he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Trump has claimed the charges were political despite a wealth of evidence.
“Today,” Trump said New Jersey after his court appearance, “we are witnessing the most evil and heinous abuse of power in our country’s history.”
In online posts, the former president has continued the narrative. He has also dismissed those who consider the charges serious and potentially damning. That included Trump’s former attorney general, William Barr, who suggested this week his old head may be “toasted.”
“Virtually everybody is saying that the bogus indictment is about election interference and it shouldn’t have been filed,” Trump said in a video Friday. publication. “Except for Bill Barr, a disgruntled employee and a very weak person and a very lazy attorney general, he was totally ineffective.”
As the candidate continues to light up social media with a firestorm of criticism, his campaign has been raising funds from the indictment. Officials bombarded supporters’ inboxes with emails offering T-shirts, videos and asking for donations. The campaign reported raising more than $6.6 million in one week.
“Trump’s response is actually characteristic of Trump,” said Josh Scacco, a political science professor at the University of South Florida. “It’s to push back. It’s to raise funds. It’s to deny, and it’s to deflect. That’s what he’s done.”
Republican opponents are mixed over how to handle the impeachment. Over time, however, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have taken critical positions on the legal situation of the former president
“How about blaming him,” Christie said CNN during a discussion at the town hall this week. “He did this. He took documents he wasn’t supposed to take. He kept them when they asked for them back. He got a grand jury subpoena. He refused to comply . . .”
Others have run to Trump’s defense. Vivek Ramaswamy is among them. He has now appealed to his fellow candidates pledge to pardon Trump if elected.
“I have demanded that all the other candidates in this race either sign this pardon commitment by January 20, 2025, or explain why they are not,” Ramaswamy said while speaking outside the Miami courthouse on Tuesday.
The governor of Florida, for his part, has been more reserved in his comments. He has often touted his goals for president without rejecting Trump’s claims of injustice.
“We’re going to eliminate political bias,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said after signing the state budget on Thursday. “And we will end the weaponization of the federal government.”
It’s unclear what kind of impact the indictment will have surveys. The latest show Trump is still the leader with a double-digit lead.
Speaking of running, Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez became the latest Republican to jump into the crowded field of Republican presidential candidates on Thursday. He told fans why he’s running during his official announcement speech in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
“It’s time for a leader with a record of real results, not just rhetoric, who believes wholeheartedly in the American dream, who wants to share it with everyone, regardless of race, religion or complexion,” he said. Suárez “It’s time for a leader who can connect with segments of our country that Republicans have historically lost, like young voters and urban voters, and segments we can win with like Hispanics and suburban women.”
Experts believe Suarez is a long shot and wonder if the mayor is just laying the groundwork for a future White House bid in 2028 or 2032.
“Running for the presidency is a huge task in America,” said Barry University political science professor Sean Foreman. “The fact that you have to travel around the country and meet with so many different voters and raise money, it doesn’t just happen in a few months.”
