Mitt Romney’s blistering response to Trump’s damning indictment
Republican US Senator Mitt Romney said that former president Donald Trump had brought an indictment upon himself for his taking classified documents and refusing to return them. Mr Romney released a statement on Friday after news that a grand jury indicted Mr Trump for his alleged unlawful of retention of national defence information at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Mr Trump said he must report to a court in Miami by Tuesday at 3pm ET. “Like all Americans, Mr Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The government has the burden of proving its charges beyond a reasonable doubt and securing a unanimous verdict by a South Florida jury,” Mr Romney said. “By all appearances, the Justice Department and special counsel have exercised due care, affording Mr Trump the time and opportunity to avoid charges that would not generally have been afforded to others,” he said. “Mr Trump brought these charges upon himself by not only taking classified documents, but by refusing to simply return them when given numerous opportunities to do so.” The 2012 Republican presidential nominee, whom Mr Trump endorsed in that election, has since emerged as one of the GOP’s most outspoken critics of the former president. Mr Romney voted to convict Mr Trump in his first impeachment trial in 2020, the only Republican Senator to do so, for attempting to withhold aid for Ukraine in exchange for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky investigating Joe Biden’s son when Mr Trump was running for re-election. In 2021, six other Republicans joined Mr Romney to convict Mr Trump for his incitement of the January 6 riot. Mr Romney alluded to those cases in his statement. “These allegations are serious and if proven, would be consistent with his other actions offensive to the national interest, such as withholding defensive weapons from Ukraine for political reasons and failing to defend the Capitol from violent attack and insurrection,” he said. The statement stands in contrast to Mr Romney’s statement after a New York grand jury indicted Mr Trump in April, when Mr Romney expressed some scepticism. New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office charged Mr Trump on 34 counts related to his allegedly making hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. “Even so, I believe the New York prosecutor has stretched to reach felony criminal charges in order to fit a political agenda,” Mr Romney said at the time. “No one is above the law, not even former presidents, but everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law. The prosecutor’s overreach sets a dangerous precedent for criminalizing political opponents and damages the public’s faith in our justice system.” Read More Trump-appointed judge will initially preside over ex-president’s federal court appearance Trump indictment — live: Trump’s brazen classified document admission revealed amid MAGA meltdown over charges Jailhouse Rock? Trump followed his furious indictment announcement with a DJ set
2023-06-10 22:53
Man City seeks 1st Champions League title, Inter Milan eyes upset
Manchester City is trying to win its first Champions League title
2023-06-10 22:52
When will Lionel Messi be unveiled at Inter Miami? Date and how to watch
When Lionel Messi will be unveiled at Inter Miami and how you can watch on TV or live stream.
2023-06-10 22:50
Vingegaard cruises to Dauphine penultimate stage win
Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard won the seventh and penultimate stage of the Criterium du Dauphine to consolidate his...
2023-06-10 22:28
Korneeva wins French Open girls’ title, Prizmic prevails in boys' final
Alina Korneeva of Russia won the French Open girls’ title and Dino Prizmic of Croatia won the boys’ final
2023-06-10 22:23
California governor pushes back on Fox News’ Sean Hannity when asked about running against Biden
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back when Fox News host Sean Hannity repeatedly questioned whether President Joe Biden was up to the task of leading the US and whether the governor himself has been urged to run in 2024. “Do you think he’s cognitively strong enough to be president?” Hannity asked the California governor, in a preview of the Fox News host’s exclusive interview airing next week. Mr Newsom said he had no qualms about Mr Biden’s cognitive faculties. “I have conversations with him all the time. Yes,” Mr Newsom said, adding: “And I’ll tell you what. I’m dead serious about that. I’ve talked to him when he’s been overseas, I’ve been in Air Force One, Marine One, I’ve been in the limo with him. I’ve spent time with him privately and publicly.” Hannity kept trying, though. “How many times does your phone ping a day, people saying, ‘You need to get in this race’ because they agree with me that he’s not up to the job?” the Fox host asked once again. “I see where you’re going with that, Sean,” Mr Newsom said. “I’m asking,” Hannity said. “I’m not answering,” the California governor responded. Mr Biden, 80, is the oldest president in US history. Republicans have long sought to make hay out of the president’s advanced age, arguing that he is senile and confused during public events. Mr Biden’s doctor, however, has said the president remains in good health and fit for duty. “The President remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations,” Dr Kevn O’Connor said in a statement on 16 February. Read More California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes constitutional amendment to tighten access to guns ‘Small, pathetic man’: Inside the bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom suggests kidnap charges over Ron DeSantis’s migrant flights
2023-06-10 22:17
US Open in LA nearly afterthought with Saudi, PGA Tour deal
The toughest test in golf takes on several meanings for this U.S. Open
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'Job done' as Bagnaia wins Italian MotoGP sprint race
World champion Francesco Bagnaia shrugged off tricky Tuscan conditions to win his home Italian MotoGP sprint race...
2023-06-10 21:57
Crispin Odey Removed as Partner From His Hedge Fund Firm
Odey Asset Management has removed its founder Crispin Odey from the firm’s partnership. The move comes after fresh
2023-06-10 21:54
What is Kelis' net worth? Bill Murray's rumored GF is multi-millionaire who sold her $1.8M LA mansion to live 'ranch life'
Kelis made a fortune from her music career and cooking show
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Champions League final: Haaland and Martinez could hold keys to victory for Man City, Inter Milan
Erling Haaland says he is feeling the weight of expectations ahead of the Champions League final
2023-06-10 21:49
Top South Africa football coach Clive Barker dies aged 78
Clive Barker, the most successful post-isolation coach of South Africa, died on Saturday after a long battle with dementia, a family...
2023-06-10 21:46
