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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was criticized after he tried to claim that President Joe Biden had indicted former President Donald Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) took a significant and impactful action by formally accusing Trump of committing federal crimes. The agency claims that he mishandled classified documents he possessed after leaving office and impeded the government's attempts to retrieve them.
Trump himself acknowledged the indictment on his social media platform. The charges leveled against him encompass intentional retention of national defense secrets in violation of the Espionage Act, making false statements, and participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice, as reported by two individuals knowledgeable about the situation.
McCarthy called the indictment "a dark day for the United States of America" and accused Biden of personally charging Trump, suggesting the entire case amounts to a political smear campaign.
He added:
"It is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades."
"I, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump against this grave injustice. House Republicans will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable."
You can see McCarthy's tweet below.
\u201cToday is indeed a dark day for the United States of America.\n\nIt is unconscionable for a President to indict the leading candidate opposing him. Joe Biden kept classified documents for decades. \n\nI, and every American who believes in the rule of law, stand with President Trump\u2026\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
Shortly afterward, California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu called out McCarthy for "intentionally misleading the public" in the wake of the indictment.
He wrote:
"Presidents don’t indict. The Trump Indictment came from grand jurors. You know this but you are intentionally misleading the public."
"And you have no idea if this indictment is, as you say, an “injustice” because you have not seen the evidence. Do better."
You can see his post below.
\u201cDear @SpeakerMcCarthy: Presidents don\u2019t indict. The Trump Indictment came from grand jurors. You know this but you are intentionally misleading the public.\n\nAnd you have no idea if this indictment is, as you say, an \u201cinjustice\u201d because you have not seen the evidence. Do better.\u201d— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1686274677
Many have condemned McCarthy's statements.
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy Fun fact: a grand jury in Florida, not the President who indicted your corrupt leader. You know it and yet you decided to lie to the American people.\n\nYou\u2019re not qualified to be Speaker of the House.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy The party of law and order doesn\u2019t like it when it actually works??? Paint me surprised Kevin.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy Donald Trump stole classified documents and lied about it, obstructed and got his flunkies to help him. He said himself that he took the documents because he had a right. Stop defending the crook. Pretty sure Jack Smith has the goods. More indictments are probably coming.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy My Kevin are you saying the President should intervene to stop an independent counsel? Wouldn\u2019t that be interference? You know Dumpty is a crook.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy You have not done one thing to prove yourself worthy of the most powerful republican seat. You are, thus far, wholly ineffective. Unfortunately, we have no option but to hope you put action behind your words.. this time.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy Kevin \nThe grand jury in Florida indicted him\nAnd GA is next we all heard the audio " Find me 11780 votes give me a break"\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
\u201c@SpeakerMcCarthy Fact: President Biden had nothing to do with the indictment of former President Trump, but you know most of your followers will buy your BS. SHAME!\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1686273764
Trump's indictment, issued in Miami's Federal District Court, marks the first instance of a former President facing federal charges.
This places the nation in an unprecedented situation, given that Trump also currently leads the pack as the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Meanwhile, Biden's administration finds itself in the unique position of seeking to convict its potential rival on multiple serious criminal charges.
This indictment, which was presented by the office of special counsel Jack Smith, comes roughly two months after local prosecutors in New York filed over 30 felony charges against Trump. These charges were related to a case involving a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels as hush money prior to the 2016 election.
Furthermore, Trump remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by Mr. Smith's office, focusing on his extensive endeavors to cling to power following his electoral defeat in 2020. Additionally, authorities from the district attorney's office in Fulton County, Georgia, are scrutinizing him for potential interference in the election.