Trump indictment: Byron York says 2024 GOP candidates are now pitted with ‘a bit of a conflict of interest’
Heather Hamilton
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Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York said the latest indictment against former President Donald Trump presents his fellow 2024 GOP candidates with “a bit of a conflict of interest.”
While appearing on The Ingraham Angle, York suggested that the seven charges brought against Trump on Thursday, which allege he mishandled classified documents, will strengthen his support and increase his favorability.
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“This indictment might have the same effect that the Manhattan indictment did, which was increase Trump’s support,” York said.
In April, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought 34 felony charges against Trump, accusing him of falsifying business records connected to alleged 2016 hush money payments.
York noted that the indictment brought by Bragg drove Trump’s numbers up as his supporters and fellow Republicans considered the case to be “very weak.”
“The Republican candidates in the presidential race have a bit of a conflict of interest here,” York said. “I think most of them believe, as do their voters, that Trump has been unfairly targeted since 2016. On the other hand, they’re looking at a case in which Trump is leading the field by so far that they think something spectacular has to happen to cut into that lead.”
York also suggested that while Trump’s GOP presidential race opponents might hope the latest indictment works in their favor, it could also only distance them from Trump’s large lead.
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The DOJ has yet to announce the latest indictment or unseal details of the charges against the former president. Trump has been summoned to appear at the federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Trump leads DeSantis in the RealClearPolitics polling average by more than 30%.