(CNSNews.com) – After word leaked on Thursday that a New York grand jury had voted to indict former President Donald Trump – allegedly for actions connected to a hush-money payment to a porn actress – conservatives and Republicans across the country denounced the step as a “political witch hunt” designed to try to keep Trump from running for president in 2024 against Democrat Joe Biden.
The indictment will not be unsealed until next Tuesday, Apr. 4, so it is not known what specific illegalities Trump supposedly committed, although they are suspected to relate to porn star Stormy Daniels.
On the Fox News Channel, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said, “One thing that we’re concerned about in Washington, Congressman [Jim] Jordan and myself, is if there is coordination being conducted here between Merrick Garland, DOJ and all these different entities that are going after Donald Trump.”
“This is a political witch-hunt,” said Comer. “They are doing everything in their ability to create a narrative that would hurt Donald Trump.”
“Donald Trump has been taking the bullets for the average person now for years,” said Glenn Beck. “And people on the right feel like he’s the only guy that really gets what the people are feeling, and it’s not going to end well for the Democrats in the next election – it’s just not. I don’t know if Donald Trump is going to be the winner or not. But I’ll tell you this: You are not going to stop 100 million people. This country is in shambles, and there are 100 million people who will walk on broken glass and through fire to vote for someone other than this corrupt, banana republic administration.
Conservative talk-radio host Mark Levin said the Democrats “have crossed the Rubicon into tyranny. America, you are looking tyranny in the face.”
Conservative author and film-maker Dinesh D’Souza tweeted, “Never before has a party in power indicted a former President of the United States who also happens to be the leading member of the political opposition in the year preceding a presidential election. So this is where we are now.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted, “The Trump indictment is a blow to the rule of law and a blow to America.” In another tweet, he wrote, “The indictment is frivolous & an abuse of power.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, “If you’re like me, you’re frustrated. This indictment is shocking, dangerous, and one of the most irresponsible decisions in American history by any prosecutor. But what can we do? You can help me stand with the President by fighting back TODAY. … This case will fold like a cheap suit.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) tweeted, “Alvin Bragg has irreparably damaged our country in an attempt to interfere in our Presidential election. As he routinely frees violent criminals to terrorize the public, he weaponized our sacred system of justice against President Donald Trump. The American people will not tolerate this injustice, and the House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account.”
In reference to the New York County D.A. Alvin Bragg, who orchestrated the Trump indictment, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) tweeted, “Wonder if DA Bragg remembers Durham DA Mike Nifong who withheld exculpatory DNA tests on the Duke lacrosse players. He was subsequently forced out of office, disbarred, and convicted of contempt of court…”
House Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, tweeted that, “In New York City, Alvin Bragg lost most of his misdemeanor cases in court.” He also wrote, “Is Alvin Bragg looking into Hunter Biden’s art sales and business records in New York City?”
Conservative author and commentator Ben Shapiro tweeted, “The grand jury indictment of Donald Trump is insane. If what we’ve heard so far is correct, it’s legally spurious. And it’s ridiculously dangerous for the chief political opponent of the governing party to be arrested and indicted on that basis.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who may run in the 2024 presidential race, tweeted, “The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American. The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent. Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda.”
Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, tweeted, “Soros is a bald faced liar. He paid for the political persecution of Donald Trump,” and “This sham indictment by a Soros-DA is political persecution, pure and simple. Where are the Biden and Clinton family indictments?”
Legal analyst and scholar Jonathan Turley tweeted, “[Alvin] Bragg reportedly has secured his indictment. He has made history, but it is an inglorious moment where even some on the left have criticized the effort. This is a patently political prosecution.”
Commentator Matt Walsh said, “If this is political persecution, and it is, then Trump needs to throw down the gauntlet and refuse to surrender. DeSantis already said he wouldn't cooperate with extradition. It's time to fight this out and let the chips fall.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) tweeted, “Remember this day...the day the Democrats hatred of a Republican President was so great that they indicted him on a charge that no one believes is legitimate. You can't unring this bell.”
Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren said on Hannity, "Thanks to Alvin Bragg, you just looked at our 2024 Republican presidential nominee. I think 100 million Americans probably became ultra MAGA tonight."