GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy pledges to pardon Trump if he's convicted
Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech entrepreneur and investor who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, blasted Trump's indictment as an "affront to every citizen" and vowed to pardon him should he win the 2024 election.
"It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics," Ramaswamy said in a statement. "I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country."
Ramaswamy is the first GOP presidential candidate to comment on Trump's indictment in the classified documents case. He is widely considered a long shot for the nomination.
Trump indicted on seven charges, lawyer says
Trump has been indicted on seven counts, according to his attorney John Rowley. A second source confirmed the number of charges.
The specific charges are still unknown.
Trump attorney Alina Habba says she is 'petrified for the country'
In an appearance on Fox News, Trump attorney Alina Habba said Trump's indictment "shows what a sick world we are living in."
"For the president to be indicted for something that every other president, every other non-president, including vice presidents, have done shows what a sick world we are living in. I am petrified for the country at the moment," Habba said.
Asked whether she has spoken with the former president since he was indicted, Habba said, "I would never discuss any privileged conversations that I have, of course, I can tell you that."
"Obviously he put something out which says he has been indicted. It speaks for itself," she said, referring to Trump's Truth Social post.
White House declines to comment
A White House spokesman declined to comment on Trump’s latest indictment.
The spokesman referred NBC News to the Justice Department, saying it “conducts its criminal investigations independently.”
The Justice Department cannot comment because the indictment is under seal, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Trump is first former president to face federal criminal charges
Trump, who made history in being impeached twice, is now also the first former president to face federal criminal charges.
The grand jury's decision is the culmination of a monthslong Justice Department investigation now led by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Smith, who was appointed in November after Trump announced his 2024 run for the Republican nomination, took over existing investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago home, as well as “key aspects” of the Justice Department’s investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and efforts to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power.
Trump has been indicted, sources confirm
Trump has been indicted, two sources confirmed to NBC News.
As he suggested on Truth Social, Trump has received a summons to appear in U.S. District Court at 3 p.m. Tuesday, one of the sources said.
Special counsel declines to comment
A spokesperson for special counsel Jack Smith declined to comment. The indictment is under seal, said a source familiar with the development.
Donald Trump Jr. reacts to indictment news: 'We're living in a 3rd world Banana Republic'
Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted in response to the news of his father's indictment that Trump must now be re-elected to a second term in the White House.
Trump Jr. retweeted screenshots of his father's posts on Truth Social announcing the news.