Caribbean legislators comment on indictment of former US president

NEW YORK, (CMC):

Caribbean America legislators Friday said “no one is above the law” as they commented on the decision by a New York grand jury to indict former United States President, Donald J. Trump, for his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up involving adult film star Stormy Daniels that dates back to the 2016 presidential election.

US Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that it is “a sad but significant day in America’s history.

“Our nation’s judicial system was founded upon the belief that everyone deserves due process and equal protection under the law, but no one, including a former president, is above the law.

“Mr Trump’s indictment is a testament to the fact that every American should be treated fairly and equally under the laws of the United States,” said Clarke, the representative for the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.

“As this process continues to develop, I believe the American people will see that the core values of our democracy still stand true.”

New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, told CMC “this is not a day of triumph, except for the rule of law which governs all of us, including disgraced former presidents.

“I commend Manhattan District Attorney Bragg for courageously leading a thorough investigation to this point. Donald Trump must be held accountable, not only for the financial charges he’s been indicted on today, but for his efforts to undermine our democracy, which are still under investigation and which still reverberate dangerously throughout our country.

“We will now undoubtedly see conservative hypocrisy, lies and dangerous rhetoric as some put not only party, but person, over the well-being of our country and the people within it,” Williams added.

He said the indictment is part of a process that will continue to move forward, uninhibited by the former president’s attacks or incitements to action, and unwavering in a commitment to justice for the unprecedented conduct of Trump in his efforts to grab and hold on to power and relevance, at the expense of any and all.

New York State Assemblywoman, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, noted that, “for the first time in the history of the United States, a president (past or current) is facing criminal charges.

“We don’t take solace in this blemished record added to our great nation’s history, but we are pleased to see Donald Trump finally facing consequences for his despicable actions,” the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party told CMC.

“In our democracy, nobody is above the law, and that includes our former President Trump, who incited a deadly insurrection on our US Capitol, was impeached twice, and faces multiple other lawsuits and criminal probes.

“Trump remains a dangerous threat to the core of our democracy and the American people as he intends to run for president again. The Brooklyn Democratic Party thanks Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his office for their continued work to bring Trump to justice, despite threats and protests.

“Democrats in Brooklyn – and across the nation – must counter the vile hatred of MAGA Trumpism with unity and strong leadership, as we look towards a brighter democracy and the 2024 elections,” Bichotte Hermelyn added.

In the indictment, Trump reportedly faces more than 30 counts involving business fraud.

The Manhattan DA’s office said that it had already contacted Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal.

It said guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected

Trump described the indictment as “political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history.”

“I believe this witch-hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden. The American people realise exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it.

“So, our movement, and our party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these crooked Democrats out of office, so we can make America great again,” Trump said in a statement.

US media said that Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday next week.