Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) has introduced legislation that would allow former President Donald Trump to move the criminal case against him to a federal court.
“I’m proud to introduce the No More Political Prosecutions Act. Politically motivated prosecutors should not be able to wield unwarranted power and target our nation’s top leaders for their own personal gain,” said Fry in an April 11 statement.
He added, “This legislation will prevent the political prosecutions of Presidents and Vice Presidents and thwart corrupt prosecutors’ agendas.”
The bill (H.R.2553) would amend existing federal law to grant current and former presidents and vice presidents the option to move civil and criminal cases against them from state courts to federal courts.
The legislation has since been referred to the Judiciary Committee, on which Fry sits. The South Carolina congressman also sits on the Oversight Committee.
Fry’s bill marks the first legislative response since Trump was indicted in New York on April 4. The former president was charged with 34 accounts of falsifying business records related to hush payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and stated that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has “no case” against him. The charges were handed down by a grand jury empaneled by Bragg.
According to Fox News, a Republican aide on Judiciary Committee said the GOP is “absolutely” looking at moving the legislation onto the House floor.
Venues
Like many Republicans, Fry has criticized Bragg for bringing the charges against Trump.
“Today’s arraignment is an attack on the rule of law and will sadly erode confidence in our judicial system for so many Americans,” Fry wrote on Twitter on April 4. “Alvin Bragg is a Soros-funded, far-left local prosecutor interested in doing nothing more than politically persecuting President Trump,” referring to left-wing billionaire financier George Soros.
“This is a dangerous precedent and a grim day for our democracy,” Fry added. “I stand with President Trump.”
By Frank Fang
