Western Reader
In a dramatic turn of events, former President Trump publicly criticized his ex-Vice President Mike Pence.
The criticism, which was posted on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon, sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of the First Amendment and the conditions set by U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya regarding Trump’s behavior.
The charges against Trump, brought forth by Special Counsel Jack Smith, revolve around disputes concerning the 2020 election.
Pence, who is speculated to be a witness in Trump’s trial presided over by Obama-appointed Judge Tanya Chutkan, is believed to have provided evidence during the grand jury investigation against Trump.
However, this information remains unconfirmed at this time.
Pence! 💯🎯 pic.twitter.com/HodURzfx9X
— FFT™👠Conservative Values & News (@FemalesForTrump) August 7, 2023
Adding another layer to this complex situation, Pence is also a political rival of Trump, vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
This raises questions about whether Trump is permitted to criticize Pence over their disagreement about the election and the events of January 6, within the context of the presidential campaign.
Judge Upadhyaya issued a stern warning to Trump at his arraignment, reminding him it is a crime to attempt to influence a juror, threaten or bribe a witness, retaliate against anyone providing information about his case to the prosecution, or obstruct the administration of justice.
In response to Trump’s criticism, Pence released a statement boasting about his confrontation with Trump supporters.
The statement, headlined “Mike Pence Tells Trump Supporters to Read the Constitution,” stirred up reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
Trump’s post on Saturday afternoon was a scathing critique of Pence. He accused Pence of turning to the “Dark Side” and called him “delusional.”
Trump just destroyed the oft repeated lie that he didn’t choose Pence as VP. pic.twitter.com/57T3jaqCyS
— Just Human (@realjusthuman) August 7, 2023
Pence faced a confrontation from Trump supporters in New Hampshire on Friday. As Pence entered an event, a group of Trump supporters approached his vehicle, hurling accusations of betrayal and questioning his constitutional fidelity.
In response, Pence defended his actions, asserting that he upheld the Constitution and encouraging his critics to read it.
The public exchange between Trump and Pence has led to accusations of witness tampering, a crime that Judge Upadhyaya explicitly warned Trump against.
Some believe that Trump’s public criticism of Pence, a potential witness in his trial, could be seen as an attempt to influence the proceedings. Others view Trump’s actions as a challenge to Judge Chutkan, asserting his right to free speech even if it might prejudice the jury or witnesses.
As this political drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how these events will impact the upcoming 2024 Republican presidential nomination and the ongoing legal proceedings against Trump.
Regardless of the outcome, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and intense rivalries in American politics.
This article appeared in Watch Dog News and has been published here with permission.
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