Ron DeSantis defends Donald Trump as angry Republicans denounce indictment

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Top Republicans closed ranks in support of Donald Trump on Thursday night after the former president was indicted on federal charges relating to his handling of classified documents.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is running against Mr Trump for the party’s nomination for the White House in 2024, said the charges represented “a mortal threat to a free society” as he accused Democrats of “weaponising” the justice system.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy denounced the charges a “dark day for the United States of America”.

Mr McCarthy – who as speaker of the House of Representatives is the most powerful Republican in Congress – appeared to accuse Joe Biden of colluding with the Department of Justice in its investigation, accusing the president of a “brazen weaponisation of power”.

“It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him,” Mr McCarthy tweeted, adding a claim that Mr Biden “kept classified documents for decades”.

“I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice.

“House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponisation of power accountable.”

Mr DeSantis also repeated Republican claims that Hillary Clinton and Hunter Biden are being given soft treatment by the Department of Justice. Neither Ms Clinton or Mr Biden have been charged with any crime.

“We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation,” Mr DeSantis said.

“Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?”

Donald Trump Jr, the former president’s son, said the charges amounted to “revenge” by the “deep state”.

He tweeted that the so-called deep state was “willing to engage in historic election interference and will burn our norms and Constitution to shreds to try to stop Trump from winning the Presidency again.

“They know he is the only real threat to their power.”

An official told CNN on Thursday night that Mr Biden learned that Mr Trump would face charges along with the American public when the news was reported.

Mr Trump and his supporters have claimed that the case is a “witch-hunt” by the Biden administration and the Democrats.

The US attorney-general has appointed a special counsel to oversee an investigation into Mr Biden’s handling of documents after dozens of classified papers, from his time as a senator and vice president, were found in his garage.

The White House has declined to comment on the investigations into Mr Trump and Mr Biden and has referred questions to the Department of Justice Department, citing ongoing investigation.

Republicans reacted with fury to the charges brought against Mr Trump on Thursday.

House GOP conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, said: “The radical Far Left will stop at nothing to interfere with the 2024 election in order to prop up the catastrophic presidency and desperate campaign of Joe Biden.”

Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, tweeted: “If people in power can jail their political opponents at will, we don’t have a republic.”

Elon Musk, the Twitter boss, said: “There does seem to be far higher interest in pursuing Trump compared to other people in politics.

“Very important that the justice system rebut what appears to be differential enforcement or they will lose public trust.”

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for the Republican nomination in 2024, said he would pardon Mr Trump if he was found guilty of any wrongdoing.

“It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics.

“I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025, and to restore the rule of law in our country.”

Ted Cruz, who is also tipped as a potential rival for the 2024 nomination, said the charges will “bring enormous damage to the rule of law”.

Some Republicans voiced concern about the charges and said Mr Trump should face justice.

Asa Hutchinson, who is running for the Republican nomination against Mr Trump said: “Donald Trump’s actions - from his wilful disregard for the Constitution to his disrespect for the rule of law - should not define our nation or the Republican Party. This is a sad day for our country.”

Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing and will contest the charges. On Thursday night he posted on Truth Social that he was “innocent” and said the case was being brought by a “corrupt” Biden administration.