Some Trump Rivals Rally To His Side As Possible Charges Loom

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.(AP) — Top Republicans, including some of Donald Trump’s potential rivals for the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest.The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president.But they also recognize the multiple investigations — Trump’s post on social media about the Manhattan district attorney’s probe led to the public declarations of support — remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and they fear alienating his loyal base.Advertisement Among those coming to Trump’s side were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance” against Trump.McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees “to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.” McCarthy has not endorsed Trump’s White House campaign, but Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership after a contentious, multiple rounds of voting.Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.

I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by… https://t.co/elpbh7LeWn— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) March 18, 2023The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump.A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the...