Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) urged former President Donald Trump to drop out of the 2024 contest if he gets indicted.
Lawyers for the Manhattan district attorney’s office have reportedly been hinting to Trump’s lawyers that he could face charges over an alleged hush-money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels back in the 2016 election cycle. Hutchinson argued that such an indictment would be a major “distraction.”
ASA HUTCHINSON CALLS FOR ‘MORE VOICES’ OPPOSITION TO TRUMP AFTER HOGAN DROPS OUT
“It’s out of respect for the institution of the presidency of the United States. And, that’s a distraction that is difficult to run for the highest office in the land under those circumstances,” Hutchinson told USA TODAY.
Hutchinson has long been an unabashed critic of Trump and is mulling a 2024 primary challenge against him. He has signaled that a decision about whether to run will come in April. The former governor also argued that a plethora of other legal troubles dogging Trump hinder his 2024 chances.
“I know he’s going to say that they’re politically motivated and all of those things, but the fact is, there’s just a lot of turmoil out there with the number of investigations going on,” he said.
With legal firestorms mounting on multiple fronts, Trump has been resolute that he won’t drop out of the race even if indicted.
“Oh, absolutely, I won’t even think about leaving,” Trump told reporters when asked at a gaggle before his Conservative Political Action Conference address. “Probably, it’ll enhance my numbers, but it’s a very bad thing for America. It’s very bad for the country.”
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Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen is set to deliver testimony to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. The former president is also facing legal scrutiny from special counsel Jack Smith’s sprawling investigation over his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as well as the coinciding efforts to challenge the 2020 election, and his handling of classified documents. New York Attorney General Letitia James is also pursuing a sweeping $250 million civil lawsuit against Trump.
“It doesn’t mean that he’s guilty of it or he should be charged, but it’s just such a distraction that would be unnecessary for somebody who’s seeking the highest office in the land,” Hutchinson added.
