Jacob Ogles
The Florida co-chair of Donald Trump’s odds-beating 2016 campaign says the former President’s indictment could lead him to victory again.
State Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, slammed the Trump indictment from a New York grand jury as a “witch hunt.”
“It’s election interference and I think it’s totally unprecedented,” Gruters said.
He derided New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg as an activist prosecutor “hand-selected by George Soros.”
But he also said when it comes to the political consequences, the indictment of a former President could have the opposite effect of what he assumes Democrats intend.
“I think the President will beat this,” he said of Trump. “And then I think it’s really going to backfire on President (Joe) Biden. I think the Republicans are going to be united in our opposition to what’s happening, this political persecution. And I think once we get past this, we’re going to go out and together beat President Biden in 2024.”
Those comments notably come as a feud heats up between Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gruters did not quite take sides in that battle between two likely contenders for the 2024 Republican nomination for President. But he did suggest all Republican leaders would rally around Trump regarding the indictment.
“Republicans are going to come together united as a result of this and it’s going to backfire on Biden,” Gruters said. “We’re going to win in 2024.”
Gruters was an early endorser for Trump when he ran in 2016 and ultimately co-chaired the Florida arm of his campaign. After Trump won the nomination, Gruters rose in the Republican Party of Florida ranks, and was elected state chair in 2019. He was re-elected to a second term in 2021, but he opted not to seek a third term this year.
Still a Trump loyalist, Gruters said the charges in New York are, well, trumped up.
The indictment is tied to accusations against Trump that he paid hush money to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels to silence her about an affair. Trump denies any wrongdoing, including any sexual tryst. The indictment is under seal and details of the charges and evidence to support them have not been released.
Gruters said if there was a case, it would have been made years ago.
“This has already been proven that there’s no case,” he said. “The Federal Elections Commission dismissed it and a previous DA dismissed it. The federal courts have dismissed it.
“This is literally a witch hunt from a guy that is totally focused on Trump. This is just a continuation of what’s been happening for years, ever since he (Trump) went down that escalator.”
___
Florida Politics reporter Christine Jordan Sexton contributed to this post.
7 comments
Mercury Ed
March 31, 2023 at 9:58 am
Boost him or not.. he’s politically impotent and radioactive sewage. Not coming back. If he runs again then he will lose again. Go ahead and run the bozo. Why the hell do you think so many people voted in 2020 and what were the results? What real incentive do people have to all of a sudden vote for a crook? What poor analytical skills are these?
Josh Green
March 31, 2023 at 3:05 pm
I legitimately hope and pray that the GOP runs Trump again.
It will basically guarantee a Democratic win.
ScienceBLVR
March 31, 2023 at 11:31 am
Remember Tom, who couldn’t complete a post on this site without referring to others as Manchurian? Gruters, like DeSantis, Scott, Rubio, et all, can’t seem to express a thought with it the “Soros-backed” moniker attached. What gives? No facts, research, data, just throw out the “Soros-backed” label and that’s your proof. This educator is giving Gruters an “F” in creativity, intelligent discourse and honesty. Gesshh, Joe, what a lazy, imbecilic diatribe. Come up with some new material and maybe someone will listen. Same old shine…
GEORGE SOROS IS HIDING UNDER YOUR BED!
March 31, 2023 at 3:12 pm
And Soros is like 90+ years old.
I wonder who the GOP will pick as their next boogeyman after he passes.
gloriajame
March 31, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Mike, great work. I applaud your efforts enormously because I currently make more than $36,000 per month from just one straightforward online business! You can begin vs02 creating a steady online income with as little as $29,000, and these are only the most basic internet operations jobs.
.
.
Alternate the connection——————————>>> iplogger.ru/2i9NA4
Otis Tidwell
March 31, 2023 at 3:04 pm
WHO?
Bert Stimson
March 31, 2023 at 9:53 pm
You gotta be a real dumbass to listen to anything Joe Goobers says about national politics. Stick to Florida Man, Gru.
Comments are closed.