Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, of California, slammed former President Donald Trump’s statement that he expects to be arrested next week, calling it “reckless” and accusing him of inciting violence.
“The former president’s announcement this morning is reckless: doing so to keep himself in the news & to foment unrest among his supporters,” Pelosi tweeted on Saturday. “He cannot hide from his violations of the law, disrespect for our elections and incitements to violence. Rightfully, our legal system will decide how to hold him accountable.”
“Whatever the Grand Jury decides, its consideration makes clear: no one is above the law, not even a former President of the United States,” the former House Speaker wrote in a second tweet.
Pelosi’s tweets came after Trump announced he anticipates his arrest on Tuesday amid reports saying the Manhattan district attorney’s office is preparing to issue an indictment for hush money payments that Trump made as a presidential candidate in 2016 and called on his supporters to protest law enforcement.
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“NOW ILLEGAL LEAKS FROM A CORRUPT & HIGHLY POLITICAL MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED NEW RECORDS TO BE SET IN VIOLENT CRIME & WHOSE LEADER IS FUNDED BY GEORGE SOROS, INDICATE THAT, WITH NO CRIME BEING ABLE TO BE PROVEN, & BASED ON AN OLD & FULLY DEBUNKED (BY NUMEROUS OTHER PROSECUTORS!) FAIRYTALE, THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!, [sic]” Trump wrote on his social media site.
Pelosi wasn’t the only Democrat to comment on Trump’s statement on Saturday.
Top House Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, appeared to be referencing Trump in a tweet lambasting “right-wing extremists” for “inflammatory” rhetoric.
“We live in a democracy,” wrote Jeffries. “Right-wing extremists who fan the flames of political violence with inflammatory rhetoric are not fit to serve. American values over autocracy.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., took aim at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for saying he’s directing House committees to investigate whether federal funds are being used for investigations into Trump’s alleged crimes amid reports that Trump could be indicted as early as next week.
“Here we go again: Kevin McCarthy once again playing the part of criminal defense counsel to shield Trump from accountability,” tweeted Schiff. “Heedless of the consequences to the country, he stirs the pot, and calls for an investigation of the investigators. It’s all part of Trump’s playbook.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell, R-Calif., similarly accused McCarthy of “using his powers in government to stop an independent prosecution of his boss.”
Rep. Ted Lieu similarly slammed McCarthy for “bending the knee” to Trump.
“Dear [McCarthy]: Do you even know what the charges are?,” wrote Lieu. “Have you seen any of the grand jury evidence? No. You are being a craven, partisan politician who doesn’t respect the rule of law. In America, no one is above the law, including the person to whom you bend your knee.”
Lieu also tweeted that no one is above the law, including former presidents, but noted that Trump has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt to a judge or jury.”
He cannot hide from his violations of the law, disrespect for our elections and incitements to violence.
Rightfully, our legal system will decide how to hold him accountable.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 18, 2023
We live in a democracy.
Right-wing extremists who fan the flames of political violence with inflammatory rhetoric are not fit to serve.
American values over autocracy.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) March 18, 2023
Here we go again:
Kevin McCarthy once again playing the part of criminal defense counsel to shield Trump from accountability.
Heedless of the consequences to the country, he stirs the pot, and calls for an investigation of the investigators.
It’s all part of Trump’s playbook.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 18, 2023
The guy who created a committee to look into “weaponization of government” is using his powers in government to stop an independent prosecution of his boss. https://t.co/h57vURgJvE
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) March 18, 2023
Dear @SpeakerMcCarthy: Do you even know what the charges are? Have you seen any of the grand jury evidence? No.
You are being a craven, partisan politician who doesn’t respect the rule of law. In America, no one is above the law, including the person to whom you bend your knee. https://t.co/PaAYVqPAjx
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) March 18, 2023
