South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has come under fire for attempting to raise money for former Republican President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign just hours after Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury.
The indictment is linked to a hush-money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels on Trump's behalf just before the 2016 election.
During an interview, Graham joined other hardline Republicans in criticizing the indictment, calling it "legal voodoo" and "political persecution."
He expressed confidence that the case would not stand up under legal scrutiny and cast doubt on the testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer, who admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 to prevent her from revealing an alleged affair with Trump.
You can hear what Graham said in the video below.
\u201cLindsey Graham: "They are trying to drain him dry. He's spent more money on lawyers than most people spent on campaigns. They're trying to bleed him dry. Donald J. Trump dot com. Go tonight. Give the president some money to fight this bullshit! This is going to destroy America!"\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
Graham said:
“They’re trying the to destroy Donald Trump because they fear him at the ballot box. To the conservatives out there, make sure you vote if you got friends, make sure they vote. If you don’t have any friends, go make some friends but you need to help this man, Donald J. Trump."
"They’re trying to drain him dry. He spent more money on lawyers than most people spend on a campaign.”
"DonaldJTrump.com, go tonight, give the president some money to fight this bulls**t." ...
"If you believe Donald Trump is being treated poorly and wrongly, stand up and help him and pray for our country, pray for him. Go to DonaldJTrump.com and give money so he can defend himself."
The timing of Graham's fundraising appeal has raised eyebrows, as it suggests that he is more concerned with supporting Trump's political ambitions than upholding the rule of law.
Critics have accused Graham of placing partisan politics over the interests of the American people and the integrity of the justice system.
\u201c@justinbaragona "Enter coupon code LINDSEY"\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona Whoa! This dudes beholding\u2026 because he\u2019s too desperate\u2026\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona Send money send money, his law breaking broke him, send money. That\u2019s all I hear.\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona If he had not committed so very many crimes, overt & covert, he would've saved a lot of money on lawyer bills, but when stupid people keep donating to a known & proven swindling conman & liar, then he can keep trying to commit crimes- until now. Truth & Justice: The American Way!\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona Most clear-thinking Americans want to see Trump bankrupted and in jail.\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona I can\u2019t believe there are still people who want to@give money to this man. He\u2019s a grifter\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona Lindsey \u201cGrifter\u201d Graham. @LindseyGrahamSC\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
\u201c@justinbaragona He thinks trump pays his lawyers. That\u2019s adorable. \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1680227740
It is not surprising that Republicans are rushing to Trump's defense in the face of his indictment. Trump remains a highly influential figure within the party, and his supporters remain fiercely loyal to him. However, it is concerning that elected officials like Graham are so quick to dismiss serious allegations of wrongdoing in the interest of political expediency.
The fact that Trump is running for the White House in 2024 only adds to the concern. If he were to win the presidency again, he would have immense power and influence over the justice system, which could lead to further erosion of the rule of law and democratic institutions.
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