Why Trump’s opponents defend him

In the latest round of indictments against former President Donald Trump, his Republican opponents had an opportunity to distance themselves from him.

However, instead of criticizing Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election, most of his rivals opted to criticize the Department of Justice, giving him a lifeline in the face of criminal charges related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump’s rivals seem to be banking on the hope that something, such as legal proceedings or a health crisis, will weaken his candidacy, allowing them to appeal to his loyal base and win the nomination.

FILE: Trump supports riot outside the Capitol building.

Trump’s Teflon-like resilience in the face of indictments makes it challenging for his opponents to criticize him effectively. His strong base of supporters is a significant factor in the calculations of his primary opponents, as they need to win over these voters to have a chance at becoming the nominee.

Trump’s valuable base

Fear of alienating Trump’s base has led most of his opponents to avoid direct criticism, focusing instead on blaming the “D.C. swamp” or “Biden’s DOJ.”

Despite Trump’s legal troubles, a large portion of likely Republican primary voters still view him favorably, and they do not believe he committed serious federal crimes or threatened democracy.

Some candidates, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, continue to portray Trump as a victim of the Justice Department, using that narrative to appeal to his base.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley remained notably quiet and did not address the latest indictment, which makes it challenging for other candidates to differentiate themselves from Trump and gain ground in the race.

Trump’s allies continue to offer strong support, and his opponents struggle to catch up and peel away his loyal supporters. As his Washington, D.C. arraignment approaches, Trump acknowledges the unwavering support he receives.