CINCINNATI — The arraignment of former President Donald Trump sparked a reaction from some political groups across Ohio.
“No matter what side the political spectrum that you fall on, to have a former president indicted, charged criminally, I just think it’s just a sad day for our country,” said Russel Mock, Hamilton County Republican Party chairman.
Mock said he was upset with the decision made by the Manhattan grand jury, charging former President Donald Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records.
“From a legal point of view, I think I know there are tiers of statutes of limitations in New York on misdemeanor charges, as there are in Ohio, and, I think, it’s long run on that case,” said Mock.
The counts are related to an alleged hush-money scandal involving the former president and adult-film actress Stormy Daniels. In 2016, Trump’s then attorney Michael Cohen allegedly paid her $130,000 to keep quiet about a sex scandal, according to court documents.
“I don’t think the underlying offense in this case is a crime,” Mock said. “Let’s be honest: This is a victimless crime. No one was injured. No one lost money.”
Spectrum News contacted several Democratic party groups across the state to speak on the indictment, but no one was willing to go on camera. However, one of the groups told Spectrum News this case shows that no one is above the law. As for Mock, he said he would like to see law enforcement investing their time into other matters instead of the former president.
“In all the things going on in crime, rampant in the city of New York and in other urban areas, I just think our resources from prosecuting and law enforcement could just be better served,” he said.
