The indictment of former President Donald Trump has inspired some of his rivals in the race for the White House to speak out in defense. But it’s not Asa Hutchinson, the former Arkansas governor and U.S. attorney who is considering a White House marriage.
“That’s the standard that I’ve set as governor: When a public official is indicted, I think about the office, and the office is more important than the person, they should step aside and that standard should be applied here,” Hutchinson said. he said on Fox Business Network.
When anchor Stuart Varney pressed him on whether he thought Trump should step down now, Hutchinson said, “Well, he won’t. Only he can make that decision.
Hutchinson’s remarks were in stark contrast to other Republican contenders for the White House, who have been quick to criticize the as-yet-undisclosed allegations against Trump.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he won’t help extradite Trump from Florida, even though extradition won’t be an issue in Trump’s case. “Weaponizing the legal system to advance political agendas turns the rule of law on its head. That’s not America,” he said in a tweet.
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, also mentioned as a contender, tweeted, “Arrest of presidential candidates on a production basis it shouldn’t happen in America.” And Nikki Haley, Trump’s former ambassador to the United Nations who announced she was running in February, tweeted, “This more about revenge rather than about justice.”
Contrary to that statement, Hutchinson’s reaction Thursday afternoon also did not call the indictment politically motivated or attempt to link the New York prosecutor to billionaire financier George Soros, as were statements by DeSantis and other prominent Republicans.
“It is a dark day for America when a former President is indicted on criminal charges. When a jury finds credible facts to support the charges, it is important that the presumption of innocence follows Mr. Trump,” said Hutchinson.
“We have to wait for reality and the American justice system to work like thousands of Americans do every day.”
Before Friday’s comments on Fox Business, Hutchinson took a softer tone in his statement after Thursday’s indictment, saying voters should ultimately decide Trump’s fitness for office.
“Donald Trump should not be the next President, it should be decided by the voters,” he said.
Still, Hutchinson in the past has shown a willingness to go after Trump, even as Trump continues to be the clear favorite in party polls ahead of next year’s GOP primaries.
“We have to wait for reality and the American justice system to work like thousands of Americans do every day.”
– Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
In January, said January 6, 2021, attempted insurrection in the US Capitol should disqualify Trump from running. And in December, he said Trump’s endorsement reduced his value to Republicans.
“There are costs associated with endorsements, we saw this many times in the midterm elections,” he said. said in an interview on CNN.
While Hutchinson avoided the strident tone of many other Republicans on Friday, he said as a former U.S. attorney, he would not bring the New York case.
“I do not believe this is a good case to bring. I will not bring this case, based on the facts that I know. But I also believe that we must be patient and we must have faith in our justice system that it will work well in this case,” he said .
Asked by Varney why he wasn’t as outraged by the case as many of his fellow Republicans, Hutchinson had a simple answer.
“Well, I’m not an extravagant person,” he said.
CORRECTION: The network Hutchinson is featured on is Fox Business Network, not Fox Business News.