Republicans Prep for Defense as Trump Faces Federal Indictment
Former President Donald Trump is facing an indictment for mishandling classified documents in Florida. The indictment includes 37 counts of intentionally possessing classified documents, defying Justice Department demands to return them, and making false statements to federal authorities concerning them. Trump’s defense in the federal court case is being prepared by Republicans, who claim that law enforcement and President Joe Biden are conspiring against him. Republicans are discrediting the prosecutors and investigating the investigators, hoping to foster a broader argument against the Justice Department.
Preparing for the Defense
Republicans have been preparing to defend Trump since taking the majority in January. They have held a series of hearings featuring former FBI agents, Twitter executives, and federal officials to paint the narrative of a corrupt government using its power against Trump and his supporters. The GOP-led House subcommittee is also probing the Justice Department and other government agencies for the “weaponization” of government while investigating Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
Republicans Discredit Prosecutors and Investigate the Investigators
The GOP’s strategy is to discredit the prosecutors and investigate the investigators, a playbook used during Trump’s presidency as his own Justice Department probed his connections to Russia. Republicans laid out a full-on campaign against Alvin Bragg, the Democratic district attorney in Manhattan, when Trump was charged in a hush money investigation in New York. Republicans are also using former FBI official testimony to defend Trump and undermine the Justice Department’s investigation.
Defending Trump Eases Tensions Among House Republicans
Defending Trump has the potential to ease tensions among House Republicans as they face their own troubles on Capitol Hill. However, they cannot control the outcome of Trump’s trial, and he faces great legal risk under two existing indictments and potentially more as prosecutors in Georgia and Washington investigate his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Nonetheless, some Republicans maintain that multiple indictments could help Trump improve his standing in polls of Republican voters and solidify the impression that the government is conspiring against him.
Conclusion
Republicans are preparing to defend former President Donald Trump against federal charges of mishandling classified documents. Their strategy is to discredit prosecutors and investigate the investigators to foster a broader argument against the Justice Department. While defending Trump has the potential to ease tensions among House Republicans, it cannot control the outcome of Trump’s trial. While some believe that multiple indictments could help Trump improve his standing in polls of Republican voters, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will improve Trump’s legal standing in court.
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