Trump Speaks to Crowds in North Carolina and Georgia Following Indictment

Former President Donald Trump spoke to crowds in North Carolina and Georgia on Saturday in his first appearances since his indictment on Friday.

The Details: Trump spoke at Republican state conventions to crowds of supporters where he called the recent indictment a “political hit job.” Trump commented on several other issues as well. He criticized CNN’s (Lean Left bias) firing of CEO Chris Licht because of the “tremendous numbers” CNN was getting. Trump criticized GOP rivals Former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, calling them “sick, sinister people.”

For Context: On Friday, Trump was indicted on 37 counts of mishandling classified materials. Most Republican candidates have condemned the indictment except Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson who called for Trump to end his campaign.

Key Quotes: "In the end, they're not coming after me. They're coming after you—and I'm just standing in their way,” said Trump, blaming the “baseless” indictment on the Biden Administration: "Many people have said that—Democrats have even said it. This vicious persecution is a travesty of justice." DeSantis defended Trump: “The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society… Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary and Hunter?”

How The Media Covered It: NBC News (Lean Left bias) highlighted the crowd profile in Georgia and their reactions. National Review (Right bias) included comments Trump’s former attorney general Bill Barr made to Fox News (Right bias) on calling the indictment “very, very damning.”