Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) attempted to reverse the American justice system in a statement she released on Thursday in response to the news that a Manhattan grand jury had voted to arrest former President Donald Trump.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi placed the burden of evidence in court matters on the defendant, stating that “everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence” and that the justice system “grants [Trump] that right.”
Pelosi commented on social media, “The Grand Jury has acted upon the facts and the law.” Everyone has the right to a trial to prove their innocence. “No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence. Hopefully, the former President will peacefully respect the system, which grants him that right.”
The Grand Jury has acted upon the facts and the law.
No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence.
Hopefully, the former President will peacefully respect the system, which grants him that right.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 31, 2023
Pelosi’s remarks came after the New York Times reported for the first time on Thursday that Trump was indicted in connection with a decades-old case that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg revived last year involving a hush money scheme involving former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels.
The extraordinary revelation of an ex-indictment president’s on uncertain accusations elicited responses from political leaders across the political spectrum.
Numerous Republican officials, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), expressed shock and criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for allegedly using the legal system to target political opponents.
In contrast, Democratic leaders looked more reserved in their responses. For instance, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) stated that Trump “will be able to avail himself of the legal system and a jury, not politics, to determine his fate.”
At the time of publication, Pelosi’s comments ostensibly denying Trump the presumption of innocence remained public.