June 14, 2023 The latest on Trump’s historic federal indictment
4:02 p.m. ET, June 14, 2023
Here’s what Republican lawmakers are saying the day after Trump was indicted on federal charges
By CNN’s Manu Raju and Aaron Pellish
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The day after former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal charges in a Miami federal court, members of the GOP continue to be questioned about the conduct of their party’s current 2024 lead candidate.
Here’s what Republicans are saying today:
Senator Mitt Romneyan outspoken critic of Trump, dismissed the former president’s claim that he could keep classified documents after he left the White House.
“If you’re surprised by Donald Trump and something he says, I would be shocked,” Romney said when asked by CNN about Trump’s claim. “That’s his MO, which is to say something challenging, outrageous, surprising and see if we can get people to watch it. That will become clear over time. We have to decide who we want to put at the head of our country at a very critical time.”
Romney added, “He has the right to defend himself and to make arguments, real or unreal.”
Senator Rick Scott, a Trump defense attorney, claimed Hillary Clinton was never investigated and the FBI never explained why she was not prosecuted. When pressed for his false claim, Scott did not respond directly.
“All these facts will come out and we will see what really happened. But I think Merrick Garland wants to explain why Hillary Clinton was never investigated,” the senator said.
When told they were under investigation, he said they needed to explain more, although the FBI explained why Clinton was not prosecuted. “I don’t think they explained why,” Scott said.
Senator John Cornyna member of the GOP leadership who has barely commented on the charges told CNN he has concerns about Trump’s behavior.
“I’m concerned by all the news about misuse of classified information,” Cornyn said. “I happen to be a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and regularly receive confidential briefings.”
Another Republican Senator Senator Chuck Grassley, was asked by CNN if he was concerned about Trump’s behavior given the concerns he previously expressed to Hillary Clinton.
He said, “The only concern I have about this is what I’m hearing from Iowans.” And that’s the unequal application of the law, different prosecutions for people from different political parties, that’s the only question I have about the both cases you are asking about.”
Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, defended Trump by equating the former president’s case with the investigation into Joe Biden’s improper handling of classified documents and calling for the Justice Department’s handling of the two cases to be a “double standard.”
“I worry about documents leaving the White House, be it — or the Senate. So I’m equally concerned that Joe Biden is also leaving SCIF with classified information,” Marshall said.
When asked by CNN’s Manu Raju about the details of Trump’s charges, Marshall expressed his skepticism about the allegations, saying, “I’m not sure what we do and don’t do,” and reiterated his call for equal application of the laws.
“We just want the law to be applied equally, and then let things fall where they want,” Marshall continued.
Member of the House Freedom Caucus MP Ralph Norman called for an impeachment trial against FBI Director Christopher Wray and accused the Justice Department of unfairly politicizing the federal indictment against Trump.
When asked if he thought the House of Representatives should begin impeachment proceedings against the FBI director, Norman replied, “Yes.”
“Christopher Wray, in particular, has been a puppet for a long time, and now he’s coming out,” Norman said.
Norman also urged Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify before Congress, noting that Smith has a personal bias against Trump.
“Get him dressed, ask him a few questions. He’s been a known Trump hater for a long time, so let him answer the question,” Norman said.
“Jack Smith should come in, I think he will, and that’s just the beginning of a long investigation,” Norman later added.
Republicans from Texas MP Chip Roy was also open to Smith’s testimony, citing “serious concerns” about possible political influence in the investigation.
“[Smith]can come over and talk about it,” Roy said.