South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has released a statement regarding the over 30 federal charges former President Donald Trump now faces regarding his mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-lago Florida residents. In the statement, Senator Rounds calls how the former president handled classified documents as unacceptable, but also expressed concerned with the Justice Department’s decision to indict a former president and current presidential candidate. He called that action inherently political. The full statement can be read below:
“Regardless of your political position or perspective, the news of another indictment against the former president should concern all of us. American citizens look to our leaders and our justice system to have integrity – and that integrity is once again being called into question.
“The indictment that has been unsealed contains multiple charges against the former president for his role in retaining classified documents, some of which were highly classified.
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I receive classified briefings multiple times per week. It is unacceptable that sensitive information, which could undermine our national strategy and security, has been treated so carelessly by current and former members of the executive branch.
“At the same time, I am concerned about the Department of Justice’s decision to pursue this case against the former president at a time when our current president has also admitted to the possession of classified documents while out of office.
“The unprecedented action of indicting in federal court a former president, who is also a current candidate for president, cannot be taken lightly as it is inherently political and will have a lasting impact on our nation. The burden of proof is on the Department of Justice to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The former president should be considered innocent unless proven guilty.”
