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.