Leaders Republicans today criticized the “political” persecution against him Donald Trumpwho could become the first ex-president USA against whom charges have been filed, and Democrats, for their part, are concerned about the billionaire’s call for supporters to demonstrate.

The possibility of a criminal charge against Trump suddenly became a reality after he was called to testify in the Stormy Daniels case, which is being investigated by the New York District Attorney’s office. The former Republican president allegedly gave the adult film actress money in 2016 to cover up their relationship.

Trump: ‘I’m going to be arrested on Tuesday’

On Saturday, Trump, who is running again for president in 2024, said he would be “arrested” on Tuesday and called on his supporters to “save America” ​​and “demonstrate.”

Several Republicans then rushed to his defense, led by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who denounced Manhattan New York State Attorney Alvin Bragg for “abuse of power.”

Even former Vice President Mike Pence, who distanced himself from Trump after the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol, has expressed support for the Republican.

The prosecution is “politically motivated,” said Trump’s former right-hand man, who also has ambitions for 2024, so he cares about his image. He said he was “baffled” at the thought that the former president could be prosecuted by that prosecutor “at a time when a wave of crime” is sweeping through New York.

“Americans have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly,” Pence said.

Democrats, for their part, called Pence’s defense irresponsible.

The former U.S. vice president put “his ambitions ahead of the public interest” by “complaining about possible sanctions against Trump and defending the call for protests,” Adam Schiff, a former House committee member who investigated the Capitol attack, tweeted.

“There is no reason to protest,” Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said today. “Justice operates as it should, without fear or privilege for anyone.”

Last Saturday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Trump’s address “dangerous.”

“It will be important for law enforcement to watch these protests and make sure they don’t escalate into violence,” Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly said on Jan. 6 today, expressing concern about the situation.

“Safety Challenge”

Several U.S. media outlets have reported that local and federal officials are preparing for possible charges against Trump, which would pose a security risk if demonstrations by supporters or opponents of the former president take place before the court.

A possible indictment, unprecedented for a former president, is bound to spark a political explosion and mark the 2024 presidential election campaign.

Although, according to American journalists, the former owner of the White House fears a possible arrest, criminal charges can do him good by rallying his base.

“The New York District Attorney is doing more today than anyone else in the United States to help Donald Trump become president,” Senator Lindsey Graham said yesterday, calling the prosecution “selective.”

The criminal charges “will bring great sympathy to the former president,” said New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who predicted a “political circus.”

The prosecution’s investigation involves paying $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, to keep her relationship with Trump secret. He allegedly received this money in 2016, shortly before the presidential election, which was won by the Republican.

The New York Attorney’s Office believes it was a bribe to influence the outcome of the presidential election by hiding compromising information about Trump and thus a hidden donation to the presidential campaign, in violation of campaign finance laws.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}