Is Trump finished? Or did Biden just help Trump again?
The recent unsealed indictment against former President Donald Trump has brought forth grave allegations. It accuses him of mishandling classified documents related to national defense and weapon capabilities, which were found to be improperly stored at his estate. However, the impact of these charges on Trump’s standing within his base and his position as the frontrunner in the GOP primary remains uncertain. Despite enduring two impeachments and previous legal challenges, many Republicans remain skeptical that this indictment will have different outcomes.
Republican strategist Mike Dennehy, based in New Hampshire, highlighted the prevailing belief among Trump’s base that the Department of Justice is corrupt. Consequently, they are likely to continue supporting Trump regardless of the specific charges brought against him. Even prior to the unsealing of the indictment, Trump’s chief rival, Ron DeSantis, and other candidates swiftly came to his defense, decrying what they perceived as the “weaponization of federal law enforcement.” However, when reporters in New Hampshire asked Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, about the charges after he had called for their unsealing, he chose not to comment.
Trump’s opponents in the GOP find it frustrating that, during moments of political vulnerability, those trying to unseat him often rush to his defense. Trump’s team is fully aware of this phenomenon and has already begun exerting pressure on Republicans to display unwavering loyalty.
Upon learning about the indictment, Trump communicated with his allies on Capitol Hill, who promptly rallied to his defense. His team carefully noted which individuals had released statements and which remained silent—a tactic previously employed during similar episodes. With the exception of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Republican leadership promptly issued statements in support of Trump.
Trump and his political team convened at Bedminster, projecting confidence that he would initially experience a surge in support and fundraising. A Republican operative working in support of Trump expressed that the conservative movement as a whole is standing behind him, viewing the indictment as yet another politically motivated attack. The operative dismissed the notion of voter fatigue, considering it wishful thinking on the part of Trump’s opponents.
Even Trump’s critics reluctantly conceded that the indictment was unlikely to erode his support among his most ardent followers. They anticipated a “rally around the flag effect.” Republican strategist Mike Madrid, co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, suggested that only former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie might actively utilize the indictment’s details against Trump, while others would be seen as complicit.
The indictment revealed that Trump had taken and stored classified documents, including information on defense vulnerabilities and nuclear capabilities, at various locations within the Mar-a-Lago Club. While Trump’s supporters found solace in the GOP’s response to the indictment, concerns emerged regarding its broader impact on his campaign. Aides acknowledged the potential difficulty in raising funds from wealthy party donors who have expressed a desire to move on from the former president. However, they remained hopeful that increased grassroots fundraising could compensate for any loss, aiming to maintain support from both sources.