Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds calls Trump indictment a 'sham;' Grassley says it's 'incredibly weak'

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynold's condemned what she called a "politically charged indictment" of former President Donald Trump on Thursday.

A New York grand jury indicted Trump on unspecified criminal charges in a case that marks the first time a former president has been charged criminally. The indictment was confirmed by Trump's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, the Associated Press reported.

Iowa Republicans lined up Thursday to defend the former president and criticize the investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Although the charges were not made public, the grand jury had been investigating hush-money payments to two women who reportedly had sex with Trump. The outline of those payments became public after he was elected in 2016, and more details were revealed in sworn testimony as Trump served in the White House.

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Reynolds called the indictment a "sham," arguing it "only serves as a reminder to Americans that there is a two-tiered justice system under Joe Biden."

“While New York faces an open season for crime, the Manhattan DA is focused on arresting a former president. This is what an assault on democracy looks like — using government power to go after your political opponents — and it’s coming directly from those who proclaim to ‘defend’ it," she wrote in a statement.

“This isn’t normal, it isn’t ‘justice,’ and it’s certainly not what America stands for.”

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Trump has already denied the charges, has called his accusers liars and has threatened there would be "potential death & destruction" if charges were filed against him in the case.

He has said also that he wouldn’t quit the 2024 presidential race if indicted.

Sen. Chuck Grassley calls case against Trump 'incredibly weak'

Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said the indictment of former President Donald Trump "smells like politicization of our justice system."

Grassley also criticized Bragg for focusing on this case rather than "cracking down on recent crime in NY."

"Reported indictment of Pres Trump highlights increasing politicization of the state & federal justice system," he wrote on Twitter. "It's alarming. We must reverse this frightening trend."

On Friday morning, Grassley argued that Trump's indictment is a result of "pure politics" and an example of an unequal system of justice for those of opposing political parties.

"One system of justice for Dems another for Republicans. FBI has had information about Hunter and James Biden potential criminal conduct for several years & no prosecution. With trump it’s a different outcome," he wrote on Twitter.

Sen. Joni Ernst says 'Iowans see right through' Trump indictment

Iowa's junior U.S. senator, Joni Ernst, took to Twitter to condemn the indictment of Trump in New York.

"This is politically motivated and Iowans see right through it. This far left, soft-on-crime DA has been fixated on going after the former president while crime in his city runs rampant. We need to restore confidence and faith in our justice system," she wrote.

Rep. Ashley Hinson calls indictment 'a political prosecution'

Echoing Reynolds, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-2nd, called the Trump indictment "politically motivated."

"A politically motivated indictment is wrong and dangerous. Alvin Bragg campaigned on taking on the former president — this is a political prosecution," she wrote in a Tweet following the announcement.

"Instead of trying to score points against political opponents, Bragg should focus on keeping New Yorkers safe. We will continue working to hold soft-on-crime DAs like Bragg accountable and restoring faith in our justice system," she added.

Attorney General Brenna Bird: 'Our country deserves so much better'

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird alluded to the indictment of Trump in a tweet Thursday evening.

"Politics don't belong in prosecutions. Our country deserves so much better," she wrote.

Iowa GOP chair criticizes 'Democrats misplaced priorities'

Jeff Kaufman, the chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, criticized the indictment of Trump on Twitter.

"Violent crime is skyrocketing in New York while dangerous criminals are being let back onto the streets, but the Manhattan DA is choosing to focus on settling political scores. A sad reflection of Democrats’ misplaced priorities," he wrote.

Information from USA Today was used in this article.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds calls Donald Trump indictment a 'sham'