Former President Donald Trump was indicted for the third time by the Department of Justice on Tuesday afternoon over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
The indictment contains four felony charges, including conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The government has summoned Trump to appear in D.C. federal court on Thursday, according to reports. He is scheduled to speak in Montgomery on Friday at the ALGOP's summer dinner.
Members of Alabama's congressional delegation either said they doubted the charges would hold up in court and the indictments were an example of a broken justice system.
"The latest indictment appears to be an even greater stretch of the law in an effort to destroy Donald Trump," said U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said on Tuesday night. "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."
Palmer continued, "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. 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."
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said on Twitter, "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. The American people deserve the opportunity to decide who leads our country at the ballot box," Moore said.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) said the indictment was a product of a "broken justice system."
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) told 1819 News on Wednesday, "The left has been after Donald Trump since the day he rode down the elevator at Trump Tower in 2015. It all began with the Russian collusion hoax and clearly continues to this day.”
Other members of the delegation didn't immediately return requests for comment from 1819 News on Tuesday night.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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