NY Democrats back Trump Org indictment, Republicans question case

NEW YORK — New York lawmakers on Capitol Hill reacted Thursday to newly announced charges against the Trump Organization, stemming from a New York-based investigation.

While several Democrats have praised it as an important step toward holding the former president accountable, a Republican is questioning how the case is being handled.

“Donald Trump was the most corrupt president in American history. He made Richard Nixon look like a choir boy,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, one of the top Democrats in the U.S. House. “It's no surprise that his organization was a corrupt organization.”

The Brooklyn and Queens area congressman weighed in shortly before the Manhattan District Attorney’s office formally unsealed charges against the Trump Organization and its chief financial officer.

In the indictment, the district attorney, a Democrat, alleges that the Trump Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg engaged in a years-long tax fraud scheme. Both pleaded not guilty.

While Donald Trump himself is not charged, New York Democrats argued it is a step toward holding him accountable.

Bronx Rep, Ritchie Torres called it “long overdue.”

“Donald Trump has been gaming the system his whole life,” he said. “Malfeasance at the Trump Organization is a reflection on the former president himself.”

The Trump Organization accuses prosecutors of playing politics.

Upstate Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney suggested in an interview that the DA was singling out the Trump Organization for prosecution, but also told Spectrum News that if someone did not pay their taxes, they should.

“It’s a civil matter, not sure why it's being criminally prosecuted,” Tenney said. “I think every American should be very concerned that we’re seeing a selective prosecution.”

What comes next is the big question: will Weisselberg turn on Trump and cooperate with prosecutors? How will the investigation— already years in the making — proceed?

“Unfortunately, wealthy people often can wiggle out of situations like this,” said said Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat representing the Bronx and Westchester County. “Hopefully, this is not the case.”

Spectrum News reached out to the offices of State Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, the only Republican in Congress from New York City, as well as upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking Republican in the House. Neither replied to a request for comment on the indictment.