WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, has joined the developing list of 2,024 Republican hopefuls now beginning to attack him on fraudulent charges that he amassed sensitive classified documents and defied a grand jury subpoena to reverse them.
“The very prospect that what is alleged here took a stand, creating an opportunity where highly sensitive classified documents may have fallen into hands, even without realizing it, that jeopardizes our national security,” Pence told CNBC’s Squawk Box on Wednesday.
At a meeting Monday with the Wall Street Journal editorial board, Pence said, “These are serious allegations. A very serious matter that considers the national security of the United States. “
Pence criticized the accusation as recently as a speech Saturday in North Carolina. It should be noted that Pence has been increasingly critical of Trump since he himself became a candidate, i. e. the then-president’s handling of the insurgency on January 6, 2021.
Most Republican candidates had been reluctant to talk about the impeachment announced last week, likely for fear of alienating Trump’s broad political base.
That’s turning throughout the day as more and more important points emerge about the obstruction of justice case, despite Trump’s competitive denials.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and current U. S. Senator Tim Scott also stepped up their complaint against Trump following the former president’s indictment of the moment.
The 24-year-old Republican challengers had little to say about Trump’s first indictment, a series of charges in New York state that revolved around silent bills from his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump has pleaded guilty to either allegation. His latest indictment was filed Tuesday in Miami.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is closest to Trump in the polls, responded to the latest accusation by accusing President Joe Biden and his Democratic administration of selective prosecution. DeSantis said he set in motion a plan to fight what he called the “militarization” of the law. application.
Trump, meanwhile, seeks to turn the indictment of the documents into a factor in his favor, telling the electorate that Biden and the Democrats are the judicial formula to play politics.
“You’re not bothering me, you’re bothering you,” Trump told a crowd of supporters in a speech after the impeachment session at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. NEVER move. “
Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor who has made opposition to Trump the foundation of his long campaign, said other candidates are reluctant to take on Trump because they don’t need to side with their voters.
In an appearance Wednesday on Fox News, Christie predicted that more Republican voters would oppose Trump as trial dates approach. He also criticized Trump’s attacks on law enforcement.
“Do you want Donald Trump whining and moaning and doing everything for him?” said Christie. “He doesn’t care about the American people. . . They put it first. “