Western Pa. political leaders react to Trump indictment

Some called the criminal charges long overdue. Others called for caution. Still, others described the indictment of former President Donald Trump as “partisan” and unfair.

Western Pennsylvania political leaders on Thursday had various takes on the historic indictment.

Trump was indicted by a New York state grand jury Thursday on charges involving payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims of an extramarital sexual encounter.

Trump, who is running for president again, responded in a statement, calling the indictment a “political persecution” and said it was part of a “witch hunt” run by Democrats.

“The American people realize exactly what Radical Left Democrats are doing here,” Trump said. “Everyone can see it.”

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, countered “no one is above the law” in reference to Trump’s indictment.

“Just like anyone charged with serious crimes, Donald Trump deserves due process, a fair trial, and all the constitutional protection provided to criminal defendants,” Deluzio said. “I will keep my focus on what my constituents sent me down to Washington to do: fight for them.”

Allegheny County Republican Chairman Sam DeMarco said the indictment marked a sad day for the country. He said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation was “partisan” and noted that neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor the previous district attorney saw Trump’s case worthy of prosecution.

He cautioned prosecutors across the country to recognize the difference between dispensing justice and “illegalizing the practice of politics.”

“History will judge Donald Trump the president. Judging him as a man is now up to the courts,” DeMarco said. “What we ignore at our peril is the use of the justice system as a political weapon aimed at public men and women in ways that distort the democratic process.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, issued a statement Friday.

“The indictment of former President Donald Trump by a district attorney who campaigned on putting him in jail truly defines the weaponization of the Justice system,” Kelly said. “Make no mistake: their goal is not justice. It is to prevent a former President of the United States from running for office again. This latest attempt by the Left to take down Mr. Trump is the height of hypocrisy. As this process plays out, I encourage everyone to remember that each American is innocent until proven guilty.”

U.S. Rep Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, said the indictment shows that even rich and powerful people are subject to the nation’s justice system.

“I think there are so many other things that speak to his character,” Lee said. “How he treats Americans that didn’t vote for him speaks to his character. Any number of things could have come up, that it was this one, we will take it.”

Lee urged Pittsburghers to take Trump’s rallying cry to his supporters seriously and not to downplay damage that could be done. But she said this indictment can be a tool to help bring former Trump supporters over to Democrats’ side.

“We have to be ready and vigilant, but we have to encourage people to see the light and who we can sway to help folks through this moment,” Lee said.

U.S. Rep Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, who represents most of Westmoreland County, said the indictment is political. He criticized Bragg for turning a blind eye on violent crime in his own city to focus on Trump.

“Like the two previous impeachments, this sham is nothing more than an outrageous abuse of power,” Reschenthaler said in a statement. “Americans are tired of these political games from liberal elites and want a system that works to catch criminals, not opponents.”

Harry Litman, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and deputy attorney general, said the indictment is a monumental achievement for the U.S. and will present a test to the nation’s justice system as to whether it can deliver a fair result under unprecedented and stressful conditions.

Litman expects Trump to “mount a slash-and-burn defense” and use his allies to rally support.

“There are likely more charges coming, so this is now the new normal — Trump under indictment and every legal battle being magnified and distorted through the lens of a presidential campaign,” Litman said.

Allegheny County Democratic Committee chair Sam Hens-Greco said a committee meeting he was attending in Brentwood was abuzz with the indictment news. He said there was a general sense among Democratic committee members that Trump should be held accountable.

“There is a feeling that, finally, someone is going to hold him accountable for his actions,” Hens-Greco said. We live in a country of laws. It is historic, it will have political ramifications, but that is a result of the indictment. Democrats and Republicans will have to respond accordingly.”