Paxton: Trump arrest example of 'the left's weaponization of the justice system'

Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton recently criticized the arraignment of former President Donald J. Trump.

Trump, who was commander in chief from 2017 to 2021, faces a 34-count felony indictment that arose from a purported hush money scheme involving a pornographic film actress.

A New York grand jury moved to indict Trump late last month, as he vies for the GOP presidential nod in the 2024 race.

Paxton, a Republican and known Trump ally, asserted in a tweet the charges against the ex-president are politically motivated.

“The left's weaponization of the justice system to go after Trump, shows there is no limit, they'll use it to go after the mom at school board meetings or anyone with conservative values,” the State of Texas’ chief legal counsel said. “I stand with Trump and will always fight against those who want to destroy our Republic.”

Trump flew from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to New York City on Monday ahead of his surrender to the New York County District Attorney’s (DA) Office.

He went to a Manhattan courthouse sans handcuffs, was fingerprinted and informed of the litany of charges, to each of which he entered a not guilty plea.

CBS News reported that Trump didn’t have a mugshot taken, though the State of New York prohibits the public release of them.

After the proceedings, ABC News reported, he flew back to Florida where he addressed his arrest in a speech that was a shade under half an hour. 

“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” he said, per ABC News. 

Trump, who is the first former U.S. president to be charged with a crime, additionally blasted the charges as interference to the 2024 presidential election, demanding what he described as a “fake case” to be “dropped immediately.” 

“[There is a] very dark cloud over our beloved country," he said as he reached the conclusion of his address, ABC News reported.