Trump is the first former president to appear before a federal judge on criminal charges, accused of hoarding classified documents.
Republicans are abandoning Donald Trump as he faces charges related to the mishandling of classified documents.
On Tuesday Trump became the first former president to appear before a federal judge on criminal charges.
He pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he hoarded classified documents and refused government demands to give them back.
Trump is also leading the Republican field for the 2024 presidential nomination, holding onto his status as frontrunner despite the legal troubles he faces. However, one poll indicates support has tumbled in the wake of the indictment.
Top House Republicans and many of Trump’s rivals for the GOP nomination have chosen to unreservedly defend Trump since the indictment unsealed last week charged him with 37 felony counts, many under the Espionage Act. The indictment accuses him of illegally storing classified documents in his bedroom, bathroom, shower and other locations at Mar-a-Lago and trying to hide them from the Justice Department as investigators demanded them back.
However, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has notably steered clear of defending Trump, indicating a split among Republicans over how to handle Trump’s legal woes.
Several Republicans spoke out against Trump following his history-making court appearance on Tuesday.
“I have serious concerns about anybody that has a reckless disregard for the handling of classified documents,” Rep. Steve Womack told CNN’s Manu Raju.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw said: “It’s very problematic. There’s a reason I’m not defending it.”
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