On Tuesday, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the Republican vice presidential candidate, unleashed a scathing critique of special counsel Jack Smith’s latest indictment against former President Trump.
Vance condemned it as a calculated maneuver to affect the electoral process. Although he admitted to not having fully examined the indictment, Vance implied that this move was just another attempt by Smith to manipulate the election through legal tactics.
Former President of the US, Donald Trump
Vance emphasized that Smith’s recent indictment, which retains the core allegations but adjusts some details following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, reflects a persistent strategy to sway election outcomes.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously dismissed Smith’s lawsuit, affirming that presidential actions tied to official duties are protected by immunity. This ruling established that presidents have absolute immunity for their core responsibilities and are generally protected for other official acts.
The new superseding indictment revisits Trump’s actions surrounding January 6, 2021, and alters the description of the pressure applied to then-Vice President Mike Pence. The indictment now portrays Pence in dual roles—both as vice president and as Trump’s running mate—arguing that this adjustment still implicates Trump’s actions during official proceedings.
Vance criticized Smith for attempting to reframe Pence’s role, suggesting that it was an effort to undermine Pence’s official status and thus shift the legal focus. He accused Smith of perpetuating election interference and expressed strong condemnation, stating that Smith’s conduct undermines the integrity of the electoral process. Vance called for accountability, asserting that such tactics are a threat to fair elections and should be opposed rigorously.
