Former President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on his plane after a campaign rally at Waco Regional Airport, in Waco, Texas, Saturday, March 25, 2023, while en route to West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

WHEELING – There are a few things on which Republicans and Democrats can agree when it comes to this week’s indictment of former President Donald Trump.

The indictment is sealed, hasn’t been opened, and few know what it actually entails. They also see that Trump’s base continues to stand behind him.

Brian Fitzpatrick, assistant professor of political science at West Liberty University, explained that while Trump’s indictment was the first for an elected president, it didn’t come as a surprise. There are multiple investigations against Trump at this time, he noted.

“Right now he couldn’t win the general election,” Fitzpatrick said of Trump. “A Marist poll from earlier this week showed about 60% don’t want him as president.”

That same poll, which did trend along party lines, indicated there could be some feelings among Republicans that they believe Trump might have done something illegal.

“But he still has strong support from his base,” Fitzpatrick continued. “If he runs, he is likely to get the nomination.

“But that is not to say he isn’t hurt by this. If convicted and found guilty, he could serve jail time. And Republican challengers could use this to say Trump is too much of a liability in the general election.”

GOP Members Rally Around Trump

So far, many notable Republicans in the region are standing with Trump.

A statement posted on social media by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice — a long-time friend of the Trump family — is indicative of the sentiment held by the GOP base.

“Truly, what has happened to our America?” Justice asked. “I am so sorrowed about the lack of respect shown toward the commitment and accomplishments that President Trump has given us.

“I am so sorrowed at the witch hunt on President Trump and his entire family. I am so sorrowed at the lack of respect toward our America.”

Justice added a personal message to the former president and first lady Melania, and “especially my huntin’ buddies (Trump sons) Don Jr. and Eric.”

“You shook up the world and invaded the liberal playhouse,” he told them. “I have always respected our friendships, and will never waiver. Pour it on, Champ!”

West Virginia Republican Party Chairwoman Elgine McArdle termed news of the indictment “disheartening, sickening, and frightening” in a released statement.

“The idea that any district attorney or governing authority can wield prosecutorial power to arrest and potentially jail a political opponent of the incumbent president shocks the American conscience and exemplifies the very tyranny our constitution sought to avoid,” he said.

“President Biden and his administration have continually utilized the Justice Department to wield witch hunt prosecutions to persecute Americans who dare to challenge ideologies which fly in the face of freedom. Now, his liberal allies in New York are doing the same. Liberal prosecutors across the country, funded by George Soros and far-left interest groups, continually elevate radical left-wing policies above the safety and security of the American people.”

In large cities like New York, crime has risen dramatically, while the concept of law and order has been “thrown aside,” McArdle said.

“(Manhattan prosecutor) Alvin Bragg refuses to do his job, prosecute violent criminals and seek justice,” she continued. “Instead, he chooses to release countless violent criminals and use his office to try to prosecute the leading political adversary of the sitting President and the Democratic Party.”

U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, who represents the Northern Panhandle, said this week was a “disgusting abuse of power by the Manhattan district attorney” that is “the latest example of the left’s complete disregard for the rule of law.”

“This is an attempt to appease a radical liberal base who personally hates President Donald Trump and his followers,” Mooney, R-W.Va., continued. “Only in a banana republic does one political party arrest a candidate of the opposing party. Make no mistake, this is a political assault on hard-working families, gun owners, veterans and the people that teach their children that there are only two genders. Meanwhile, misdeeds by Democrats go unprosecuted.”

Mooney also attacked Bragg, calling him a “George Soros-backed radical who refuses to prosecute violent criminals.”

“Instead of scoring political points with his liberal base, he should be going after criminals attacking and maiming law-abiding citizens on the streets of New York,” he said. “Speaker Kevin McCarthy has directed relevant House committees to begin investigating the politically motivated prosecution of President Trump. House Republicans will investigate any use of federal funds by the Manhattan District Attorney used to carry out this miscarriage of justice.”

Mooney added he is “proud to stand with President Trump in this fight against tyranny and injustice.”

U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., continued the sentiment in a social media posting.

“(Manhattan District Attorney) Alvin Bragg allows violent criminals to roam free, but he shamelessly targets his political opponents,” she said. “This reckless, unprecedented abuse of authority will not go unaddressed by the House Republican Majority.”

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, sent out emails urging constituents to contribute at least $5 to his campaign if they were as outraged as he was about Trump’s indictment.

“You don’t have to love President Trump for this to not sit well,” Johnson said. “A former president – one who has always been despised by the left, the media, and the elites – will be arrested by the liberal elites who have been going after him for years. It is totally a politically-motivated move … Bragg is abusing the power of his public office to go after a political rival. It’s unprecedented!

“And now’s the time for the American people — regardless of party — to come together and stand up against this weaponization of our judicial system. It’s dangerous…no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. If only the current government would work as quickly and effectively for hardworking, tax-paying citizens as they do to bring down Donald Trump. We can only wish!”

Neither U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., or Sen. Shelley Moore Capito had released any comment about the indictment as of late Friday afternoon. A spokesman for Capito said Capito was traveling on Friday and unavailable for a statement. Manchin’s office, meanwhile, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

‘A Sad Day’

West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said he believes the words of support for Trump from Republican officials across the state are premature.

“What I can say is it’s a sad day. A former president has been indicted,” Puskin said. “I also think that after seeing all the comments from Republican leaders that they are being disingenuous and playing politics. They haven’t read an indictment because it has not been made public yet. That makes it hard to comment.

“I do know that he will be innocent until proven guilty, and that I’m proud to live in a country where nobody is above the law.”

He added that the American legal system “is supposed to be above that (politics),” though an indictment and a possible conviction might not hurt Trump among voters.

“Those who love him will continue to love him. Those who don’t won’t,” Pushkin said.

Teddie Grogan, president of the Ohio County Democratic Women’s group, found the idea of the indictment sobering.

“I don’t think this is a moment to celebrate,” she said. “This is a visceral moment for our country. No one from ordinary citizens to the highest office is above the law. This is not political. This is about the rule of law. This is why America has stood as a worldwide beacon of democracy and will continue to be such.

“No matter what our political ideology, we must trust in the political system and avoid political rancor. We should not interfere in political justice, no matter how that may play out. We don’t know what the indictment is, what a jury of his peers might decide,” Grogan added.