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Former President Trump’s allies in Congress spoke out Tuesday after he plead "not guilty" to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a New York courtroom. Most of them claim this is an attack on the rule of law and the U.S. justice system. And are convinced it is politically motivated.

In the meantime, the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in California issued a six-page order directing Stormy Daniels to pay Trump's attorneys $122,000 in legal fees. That adds to the $293,000 that she was ordered to pay after losing a libel case in federal district court and $245,000 for unsuccessfully pursuing an earlier appeal.

Many were highly critical of District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case against Trump and accused him of being funded and controlled by billionaire Democratic donor George Soros.

 The indictment, stemming from a probe into alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, could be the easiest case for Trump defenders to dismiss. And that there are arguably more significant investigations pending. This includes his alleged role in setting off the January 6 riots and allegedly interfering in Georgia's 2020 election. 

Trump moves up in the polls

The indictment comes at a time when Trump is surging in polls, unifying the Republican party behind him and making it more challenging for his GOP opposition to gain traction.

The move has led to a 26-point lead for Trump over Florida Gov. DeSantis in the GOP primary. It increased from just eight points two weeks ago in the first poll conducted post-indictment.

Most Republicans currently holding elected office rushed to defend Trump and declare the indictment politically motivated.

Former President Trump has already been endorsed by 37 House Republicans. This includes a third of the GOP members on the Judiciary and Oversight committees.

 This was reflected in the recent poll conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov that shows Trump's support skyrocketing among Republicans.

This move has made it more difficult for his GOP opposition to gain traction. If the primary becomes a debate over whether Trump is being treated fairly, nearly every Republican candidate agrees with the besieged front-runner.

And even Republicans who don’t like Trump believe that the charges are politically motivated.

Accusations increase that it is politically motivated

Trump's allies in Congress are suspicious of DA Bragg’s link to Soros. And his campaign promises to “get Trump” are coming back to haunt him.

 And most Republicans are criticizing Bragg for what they believe is illegal overreach.

It is also being reported that the daughter of Manhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan, presiding over Trump’s case, worked for Vice President Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential run and many other progressive campaigns. 

On social media, it is being claimed the judge is from a 'family of well-known Trump haters.'

Loren Merchan, the judges’ 34-year-old daughter, is a partner and president of Authentic Campaigns, a progressive digital firm. And has only worked on high-profile Democratic campaigns – including for President Joe Biden.

Many of the crowd that met Trump on his return home to Mar-a-Lago said they had friends that would have come but they were certain that they would be arrested.

 This could also have long-term implications for the U.S. justice system. It sets a precedent where any prosecutor could go after their political opponents, regardless of whether they have committed a crime or not.

This move could also have implications for future presidential administrations. It could set a precedent where incoming administrations could investigate their predecessors. And lead to a cycle of political vendettas.

As far apart as the two parties are now the indictment of the former president could have significant long-term implications for the United States as a country.