Donald Trump thanked his supporters on Wednesday after being indicted due to his conduct surrounding the 2020 election, part of a Justice Department investigation that his defenders have dismissed as "election interference" ahead of 2024.
"THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MUCH SUPPORT ON ANYTHING BEFORE," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "THIS UNPRECEDENTED INDICTMENT OF A FORMER (HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL!) PRESIDENT, & THE LEADING CANDIDATE, BY FAR, IN BOTH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION, HAS AWOKEN THE WORLD TO THE CORRUPTION, SCANDAL, & FAILURE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS."
"AMERICA IS A NATION IN DECLINE, BUT WE WILL MAKE IT GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!" Trump continued.
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A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He faces four charges, according to the 45-page indictment, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
Trump was first indicted in Manhattan in April over allegations he participated in a hush money payment scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. Then, special counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump in June over allegations he mishandled documents with sensitive national security information after leaving the White House.
The former president has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to all previous charges. Trump maintains that the Justice Department is engaging in a politicized effort to thwart his third bid for the White House, as has his affiliated super PAC, MAGA Inc. Karoline Leavitt, the PAC's spokeswoman, appeared on Newsmax Tuesday to denounce the latest indictment.
"This indictment today basically says that the U.S. government is targeting its chief political opponent because they deemed his speech unlawful," Leavitt claimed. "They deemed his thought unlawful."
.@kleavittnh: "This indictment today basically says that the U.S. government is charging its chief political opponent because they deemed his speech unlawful." pic.twitter.com/M5hXLfjCts
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) August 2, 2023
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Trump's fellow 2024 rivals had a more mixed reaction to his indictment. Some, including Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), slammed the "weaponization" of the Justice Department. "I remain concerned about the weaponization of Biden’s DOJ and its immense power used against political opponents," Scott said. "What we see today are two different tracks of justice. One for political opponents and another for the son of the current president."
I remain concerned about the weaponization of Biden’s DOJ and its immense power used against political opponents.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) August 2, 2023
What we see today are two different tracks of justice. One for political opponents and another for the son of the current president.
Others, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have excoriated Trump and argued he is unfit for office. "The events around the White House from election night forward are a stain on our country’s history & a disgrace to the people who participated," he said. "This disgrace falls the most on Donald Trump. He swore an oath to the Constitution, violated his oath & brought shame to his presidency."
Trump is accused of not only fomenting the riot on Jan. 6 but also orchestrating a complex scheme to overturn the election.