Members of the Alabama House Congressional delegation are reacting to the latest controversy surrounding former President Donald Trump.
Special Counsel Jack Smith announced another set of indictments Tuesday against Trump, making it the third time he’s been charged with criminal activity this year.
Trump is being charged with conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) called the indictment a “sham” driven by partisan politics.
“The latest sham indictment of President Trump proves that Biden’s DOJ is determined to try every avenue to punish his political enemies before the 2024 election,” Moore said. “After three indictments, it’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day.
“The American people deserve the opportunity to decide who leads our country at the ballot box.”
The latest sham indictment of President Trump proves that Biden’s DOJ is determined to try every avenue to punish his political enemies before the 2024 election.
After three indictments, it’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) August 1, 2023
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said the former president is being charged for exercising his rights to free speech.
“The latest indictment appears to be an even greater stretch of the law in an effort to destroy Donald Trump,” Palmer said. “Much of this indictment centers on statements made by President Trump on January 6th that create legal problems for the prosecution in regard to free speech. Regardless of any opinions about President Trump or his statements about the outcome of the 2020 election, President Trump’s statements are protected by the First Amendment right to free speech, especially political speech.”
The congressman added this is just another example of the weaponization of the Justice Department against political differences.
“As some legal experts have already pointed out, this is criminalization of disinformation and misinformation which raises serious concerns about the public’s right to speak openly in opposition to policies they oppose,” he said. “This is especially troublesome in view of the Biden Administration’s aborted attempt to establish a bureau of disinformation that many believe would have been weaponized against the political opponents of President Biden and the Democratic Party. Consequently, this indictment falls short of the criminal legal standard for charging anyone and has the appearance of indicting political speech.”
Read my full statement on Jack Smith’s indictment of President Trump. pic.twitter.com/FhqePQMIVt
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) August 1, 2023
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) echoed the sentiments of his Republican colleagues on the indictment.
As I said back in June, the left has been after Donald Trump going all the way back before he was even elected President, starting with the Russian collusion hoax. https://t.co/65UJSKxRed
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) August 2, 2023
The lone Democratic member of the Alabama House congressional delegation disagreed with her Republican colleagues and emphasized that no one is above the law.
“Yesterday’s indictment is another indication that no matter your position, no one is above the law,” Sewell said. “We are seeing the political process play out, and though we don’t know the outcome, all parties who are involved in one of the darkest days in our nation’s history must be held accountable.”
My thoughts on the indictment of former President Trump 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/jbbpzTBgxu
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) August 2, 2023
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
