Murkowski and Sullivan take opposing views of Trump indictment

Alaska’s two Republican U.S. senators had nearly opposite responses to the indictment of former President Donald Trump.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the charges in the case are “quite serious and cannot be casually dismissed.” 

As I’ve stated before, no one is above the law but every American is innocent until proven guilty. Still, the charges in this case are quite serious and cannot be casually dismissed.

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) June 9, 2023

Trump is charged with 38 counts, including mishandling classified documents, some describing the country’s vulnerability to military attack. The indictment says disclosure could endanger national security. Trump is alleged to have kept the documents after leaving office, then obstructing the government’s attempt to get them back and to investigate.

Murkowski said in an emailed statement such crimes can expose national secrets as well as sources and methods used to obtain them. Anyone found guilty, even a former president, should face the same consequences, she said. She cited the adage that no one is above law. 

Sen. Dan Sullivan, on the other hand, said the prosecution of Trump “will almost certainly do lasting damage to our polarized nation.” 

As I previously stated: The worst thing for our country is for Americans to start to believe that the Justice Department and FBI provide two tiers of justice, and that the indictment of a former President and current candidate for the White House is unprecedented and will almost…

— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) June 9, 2023

Sullivan suggested that prosecuting Trump gives the impression that America has a two-tiered justice system.

He issued his statement before the indictment was unsealed. His spokesman did not answer when asked if Sullivan wanted to respond to the specifics detailed in the charges.