A group of eight Republican Senators, led by Senate Steering Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah), has pledged to block any proposed increases in non-security funding for the DOJ (Department of Justice) and other federal agencies. Their opposition stems from their perception of “partisan lawfare” in the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s conviction.
In a recent statement, the senators criticized the White House for subverting the rule of law and causing a detrimental shift in American politics. This condemnation comes after a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records on Thursday, marking the first conviction of a U.S. president.
At a press conference, Trump denied the allegations and claimed that the trial was a politically motivated attack by the Biden administration. He accused the current administration of collaborating with the Department of Justice in a “vindictive prosecution.”
The senators repeated Trump’s claims in their public statement, saying they would refuse to work with the White House. They will refuse to support increases in non-security funding, block confirmations of Biden’s appointees, and impede the advancement of Democrat-backed bills unrelated to public safety.
Joining Lee in this pledge are senators JD Vance (R-Ohio), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Vance and Rubio are considered potential vice-presidential candidates for Trump.
Lee emphasized the gravity of their decision, stating that mere statements are insufficient. They are now actively opposing Democratic legislative priorities and nominations, urging fellow senators to join their cause.
President Joe Biden, however, maintains that Trump’s legal issues are separate from his administration and stresses the impartiality of the judicial process. He reiterated that Trump was afforded due process in a state-level trial, emphasizing the jury’s impartiality and the standard legal proceedings.
Trump’s sentencing, scheduled for July 11, precedes the Republican National Convention, where he is anticipated to be nominated for a rematch with Biden in the upcoming election.
