Within hours of former President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is now a subject of the Justice Department’s January 6 investigation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that President Joe Biden has successfully reinstated the rule of law.
During the press conference on Tuesday, a reporter inquired about Jean-Pierre’s opinion on the potential use of government actions against Joe Biden’s main 2024 political opponent, given Trump’s recent announcement of a possible indictment in the January 6 case.
The reporter began to ask a question before being interrupted by Jean-Pierre. The reporter said, “Former President Trump received a letter from the special counsel that he’s being investigated for his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says the Biden administration has decided to ‘weaponize government to go after their number one opponent.’”
Jean-Pierre cut the reporter off mid-question, saying, “Here’s what we have done. The president respects the Department of Justice, their independence. He has been very, very steadfast on making sure that the rule of law comes back in this administration, comes back in the White House and clearly the administration more broadly, and that’s what you have seen. I’m just not going to comment on this particular case.”
On Tuesday morning, Trump revealed that Special Counsel Jack Smith informed him that he is a target in the Justice Department’s January 6 probe, which he described as “deranged.”
Trump further stated that he has been summoned to appear before the grand jury in four days, and he believes this appearance will likely result in an indictment from Smith.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump posted, “Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before, or even close…THIS WITCH HUNT IS ALL ABOUT ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND A COMPLETE AND TOTAL POLITICAL WEAPONIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT! It is a very sad and dark period for our Nation!”
Stefanik: 'Not a coincidence' Jack Smith targets Trump same week as IRS whistleblower hearing on Hunter Biden https://t.co/2G5rjbW5zl
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) July 19, 2023
Numerous Republicans promptly expressed their backing for the former president.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said, “President Trump just increased his lead in the polls. So what does the Biden Administration do next? Weaponize government to go after President Biden’s number one opponent. This is not equal justice. It’s wrong, and the American public is tired of it.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said, “That’s the only way the Democrats have to beat President Trump.”
Smith’s investigation into January 6 revolves around Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith has already brought criminal charges against Trump regarding allegedly classified documents.
Additionally, the former president is under a separate investigation by a Georgia state prosecutor for his alleged efforts to overturn his loss in Georgia.
