Alaska Sen. Sullivan criticizes Trump indictment; Murkowski takes measured tone

Mar. 31—WASHINGTON — After a New York grand jury voted Thursday to indict former President Donald Trump, Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan called it an "abuse of the rule of law."

Trump faces unprecedented criminal charges relating to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Thursday's indictment prompted a flurry of reactions from lawmakers across the political spectrum, both celebrating and castigating it.

Sullivan said the indictment is "a sad day for our nation" and called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a "local partisan prosecutor."

"The indictment of a former president and current candidate for the White House is unprecedented and will almost certainly do lasting damage to our polarized nation. Both local and federal prosecutors have previously declined to bring charges," Sullivan said in a Friday morning statement.

"The American people will see through this abuse of the rule of law," Sullivan said.

[Trump and advisers caught off guard by timing of indictment]

Earlier this month, Sullivan left open the possibility that he would support Trump's campaign for president in 2024. On ABC's "This Week," host George Stephanopoulos asked Sullivan if he would back Trump in 2024 if he wins the Republican nomination, even if he is indicted.

"Well, look, that's a huge hypothetical right now on the indictment issue. We'll see if that plays out. But right now my plan is to ... support who becomes the nominee," Sullivan said at the time.

A spokesperson for Sullivan did not respond to a question after Thursday's indictment asking if the senator maintains this position.

Sullivan called on Trump to drop out of the 2016 presidential race when a video was released revealing Trump bragging about forcing himself on a woman. After Trump became president, Sullivan strongly supported his administration, and in the 2020 election said he planned to vote for him.

[Here's what the Trump indictment means and what happens next]

Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a sharp critic of the former president, took a measured tone in a Thursday evening statement about the indictment.

"I am monitoring Donald Trump's legal situation as it unfolds. No one is above the law in this country, but everyone deserves a fair legal process," Murkowski said. "The indictment of a former President is unprecedented and must be handled with the utmost integrity and scrutiny."

"Instead of rushing to individual judgment, we must also evaluate the evidence as it becomes available and use it to inform our opinions and statements about what is actually happening," she said.

Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola said she "will entrust the legal system to adjudicate this matter."

"As a member of the legislative branch, I will continue to focus on advocating for Alaskans in Congress," she said in a statement.