Senate conservatives led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, say they will oppose nonsecurity funding increases that would allow the Justice Department and other agencies to engage in “partisan warfare” after a jury in Manhattan convicted former President Trump on 34 criminal counts on Thursday.
Lee joined vice presidential hopefuls Sens. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and other Senate Republican colleagues in vowing to retaliate against what they say has been the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department.
The eight senators who signed the statement say they will not vote to confirm the administration’s political and judicial appointments nor will they allow expedited consideration on the Senate floor of Democratic bills not directly related to public safety.
“The White House has made a mockery of the rule of law and fundamentally altered our politics in an un-American way. As the Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart,” the senators said in a joint statement.
Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) also signed the letter.
“Strong statements are not enough. Those who turned our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable. We are no longer cooperating with any Democratic legislative priorities or appointments and invite all concerned senators to join our position,” Lee said. posted on social platform along with a copy of the letter.
The senators said: “We will not 1) allow any increase in non-security funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill that funds partisan legal warfare; 2) vote to confirm this administration’s political and judicial appointments; and 3) allow for the rapid consideration and passage of Democratic legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the security of the American people.”
Trump was convicted Wednesday in Manhattan criminal court on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) opened the case.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, working under the authority of the Justice Department, also accused Trump of trying to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
