On Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announced his commitment to pardon President Donald Trump regarding the latest legally dubious indictment of the leading candidate for the GOP 2024 nomination. He also announced new litigation against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to compel governmental transparency.
Ramaswamy, an author and entrepreneur, has fervently advocated for government accountability. He took to Twitter, stating, “The corrupt federal police just won’t stop until they’ve achieved their mission: eliminate Trump. This is un-American & I commit to pardoning Trump for this indictment.”
The corrupt federal police just won’t stop until they’ve achieved their mission: eliminate Trump. This is un-American & I commit to pardoning Trump for this indictment. Donald Trump isn’t the cause of what happened on Jan 6. The real cause was systematic & pervasive censorship of… pic.twitter.com/c1OpZNOl6c
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 1, 2023
Not only did he make this pledge, but Ramaswamy also revealed that he is filing a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request relating to the indictment. This is not the first time he’s taken such an action. Earlier this year, Ramaswamy had previously filed a FOIA request concerning another indictment against Trump.
The recent indictment against Trump by a Washington grand jury includes charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. related to his efforts to remain in power following the 2020 election loss to President Biden. Ramaswamy contends that the indictments “selectively omit relevant facts and law.”
According to documents filed by Ramaswamy’s campaign, he’s also taking legal action to compel the DOJ to respond to a FOIA request made in June, seeking information related to the decision to bring federal criminal charges against Trump regarding his retention of documents.
In a statement, Ramaswamy explained the motive behind the legal proceedings: “My aim in bringing this lawsuit is to finally deliver accountability and transparency: what did Biden and his cronies tell Attorney General Merrick Garland and what did Garland and the deep-staters who put him in as Attorney General tell special counsel Jack Smith.”
Ramaswamy’s stance is consistent with the principles of justice and the rule of law that resonate with many conservative voters. He firmly believes that the cause for the January 6 incident was not President Trump but rather “systematic and pervasive censorship of citizens.”
The political maneuvering also comes when other Republican candidates have reacted to the news. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized the need for justice reforms and the end of the “weaponization of the federal government.”
Ramaswamy’s commitments strongly counter what many conservatives see as a biased and two-tiered legal system. His promises to pardon Trump and the persistent pursuit of transparency through FOIA requests underscore a resolute stance against what he perceives as a politically motivated campaign against the former president.
What’s clear is that Ramaswamy’s actions have introduced a new dynamic into the GOP presidential nomination contest. Whether it’s a strategic move to garner support from Trump’s base or a principled stand for justice and transparency, his pledges and legal actions will be a focal point in the 2024 Presidential election.
Ramaswamy’s position is set out in his declaration that he is “defending the former president on principle.” In the eyes of many, this principle-led approach is needed to restore faith in the integrity of American governance.
