Trump calls Biden DOJ ‘s indictment ‘election interference at the highest level’

Trump, the current front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, told Fox News in an interview Thursday night that the case is "election interference" and "the greatest witch hunt of all time," adding that he will "of course" plead not guilty to charges in federal court in Miami on Tuesday, and said he is "totally innocent."

On Thursday, the former president was indicted on federal charges as a result of Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Trump’s alleged improper handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Though the indictment has not been unsealed, according to Fox, Trump is listed as a criminal defendant and charged with at least seven counts involving obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and illegal retention of classified government material.

Trump told the outlet, "This is the most corrupt administration in history—there has never been an administration so corrupt, and they’re just starting to find it right now. They are trying to deflect all of their dishonesty by bringing this ridiculous boxes hoax case."

The former president added: "They’re not going to get away with it. I did absolutely nothing wrong," and cited the Presidential Records Act, saying it makes him “totally innocent."

When asked if President Joe Biden, who is under special counsel investigation for his alleged improper retention of classified records from his time as vice president and as a senator, could be charged, Trump replied, "Probably not—nothing will happen."

Trump told the outlet that the indictment was handed down Thursday because it was the same day an allegation was revealed that Biden received $5 million for involvement in a bribery scheme involving an executive of the Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings, where his son Hunter Biden sat on the board.

Trump said, "The reason that they did this today, at this time, is because of the fact that the $5 million was found out in the document, and that’s just the beginning."

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) echoed the sentiment on Twitter. "The SAME DAY [House Oversight Committee] is shown a document by the FBI showing evidence that Biden and his son were each paid $5 million dollars by a foreign national, the DOJ indicts Trump. Coincidental? I think not."

Donald Trump's leading rival for the 2024 GOP nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said Thursday that the decision to charge the former president demonstrated political bias in Biden’s Department of Justice and its "weaponization" of police powers.

"The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation. Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?"

DeSantis added that if he is elected president he "will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias, and end weaponization once and for all."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he would hold those involved in the indictment "accountable."

"Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America. 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.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said, "Imagine being naive enough to believe that the Biden Bribe evidence and Trump indictment happening the same day was a coincidence. A user said: "This scheme won't succeed. President Donald Trump will be back in the White House and Joe Biden will be Hunter’s cellmate."

House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said, "The exact same day that the FBI is forced to turn over to Congress absolutely damning and credible allegations regarding Joe Biden’s illegal, egregious, and treasonous corruption, Joe Biden weaponizes his Department of Justice to indict Donald Trump.”

She added, "The American people are smart and understand this is the epitome of the illegal and unprecedented weaponization of the federal government against Joe Biden’s leading opponent, President Donald J. Trump. The radical Far Left will stop at nothing to interfere with the 2024 election in order to prop up the catastrophic presidency and desperate campaign of Joe Biden."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) stated, "Democrats must literally shake with sweats when they see amazing packed-out Trump rallies and overwhelming winning poll numbers week after week. We must win in 2024. We must beat these sick people. We started winning today in the SCIF, reading proof of Joe Biden’s bribery crimes in Ukraine. Ultimately we win in the end.”

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said, "We cannot have two tiers of justice: one for Trump on government document retention, another for Biden. One for Assange, another for Manning. One for BLM/Antifa, another for peaceful protesters on January 6. I never thought we would see the day when the U.S. President deputizes the DOJ to arrest his lead rival in the middle of an election.”