Former President Donald Trump attended court this week alongside many of his prominent Republican allies, many of whom have used the opportunity to criticize the proceedings and repeat several of Trump’s own talking points for which he himself was found in contempt of court.
Trump has been under a gag order as part of the proceedings, which has limited his ability to criticize witnesses and the family members of the judge, whom he has previously suggested are either untrustworthy or benefiting from the proceedings.
His allies, however, are subject to no such restrictions and a litany of high-profile Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson; Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio; and a host of House lawmakers.
Several such lawmakers have condemned Judge Juan Merchan's politicization of the justice system, contending that Trump himself is innocent of wrongdoing. Others highlighted potential conflicts of interest involving the family of Judge Juan Merchan, whose daughter is a professional Democratic party operative.