Political World Reacts to Donald Trump's Indictment

Former President Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury over hush money payments to a porn actress sparked impassioned reactions throughout the political world.

Trump's Response: Trump said on Truth Social that "They only brought this Fake, Corrupt, and Disgraceful Charge against me because I stand with the American People, and they know that I cannot get a fair trial in New York!"

Support for Indictment: Many on the left and elsewhere see the indictment as overdue. One MSNBC (Left bias) columnist said the indictment "is the first of many dominoes to fall." A Politico (Lean Left) writer said "It’s hard to believe prosecutors would bring this case against anyone else. But that doesn’t mean they’re wrong." The New York Times Editorial Board (Left) said the "cost of failing to seek justice against a leader who may have committed these crimes would be higher" than the cost of letting Trump continue to "exacerbate deep national fissures."

Opposition to Indictment: Many on the right opposed the indictment, and said it represented a politicized weaponization of the justice system. The New York Post Editorial Board (Right) called it "a politically motivated prosecution." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) called it "un-American." The Washington Examiner's (Lean Right) Editorial Board criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's "prosecutorial overreach," while also voicing opposition to Trump's nomination in 2024. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said Bragg went forth with the indictment "for pure political gain."