In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Republican presidential candidates gathered for a fundraising barbecue hosted by Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson. Despite the recent federal indictment of former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection, the candidates largely avoided any mention of the charges. Instead, they focused on positioning themselves as alternatives to Trump for the 2024 nomination.
One candidate who did address the issue was former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a vocal Trump critic. He spoke about Republican outrage with the Department of Justice, which many conservatives believe has been politically biased in its investigation of Trump. Hutchinson called for revamping the department and promised to name a new head if elected.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has cautioned against looking backward and repeating false claims about the 2020 election being stolen, emphasized the need to move forward without offering any direct criticism of Trump.
A recent poll of likely Iowa Republican caucus attendees showed that Trump remains popular within the party, with support far ahead of any other candidate except DeSantis. However, the poll also suggested that Trump’s position may be slightly weaker in Iowa compared to the national level.
Throughout the campaign, Republican strategists have advised against attacking Trump directly, as it tends to alienate his supporters who view the charges against him as politically motivated. Despite some candidates making oblique references to Trump, only former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson mentioned him by name.
Haley shared an anecdote about filing a report to Trump, highlighting her frustrations with foreign nations opposing U.S. policy while receiving financial aid. Johnson, who has pledged to pardon Trump, criticized the focus on attacking candidates and claimed that it should be up to Republicans, not Democrats, to decide who should run.
Overall, the candidates largely avoided addressing Trump’s indictment directly, instead choosing to focus on their own policy proposals and positioning themselves as viable alternatives for the Republican nomination.
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