House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is capitalizing on Donald Trump’s hush-money trial in New York just hours after standing by the former president outside the Manhattan courthouse for the fifth week of his first criminal trial.
Following Johnson’s remarks denouncing the charges as politically motivated and corrupt, his political action committee sent out a fundraising email highlighting his defense of Trump. The email accuses Democrats of using Trump’s trial to meddle in the 2024 election, urging supporters to donate to stop the “political hit job.”
Trump, accompanied by various GOP allies including Johnson, adhered to a gag order preventing him from criticizing witnesses as he entered Manhattan Criminal Court. Johnson took the opportunity to criticize Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney who testified against the former president.
Other GOP allies present at the courthouse included Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, both potential running mates for Trump. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were also in attendance.
Democrats swiftly criticized the GOP representatives for supporting Trump during his high-profile trial, accusing them of pledging allegiance to Trump’s radical agenda.
Johnson’s alignment with Trump has grown in recent weeks, with Trump endorsing Johnson during a challenge from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). The two have held joint fundraisers at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and worked on legislation together to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
This support for Trump has drawn criticism from Democrats, who believe Johnson and other House Republicans are prioritizing loyalty to Trump over the needs of hardworking families.
