May 2, 2023
Manchin makes plea to DA Bragg after Trump indictment: ‘Remove all doubt’

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has made a plea to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to ensure that former President Donald Trump is held accountable for his actions. This comes after the indictment of the Trump Organization and its CFO, Allen Weisselberg, on charges of tax fraud and grand larceny.
In a statement released on Friday, Manchin urged Bragg to remove all doubt about the rule of law in America by pursuing a thorough investigation into Trump's alleged crimes. He also called on the DA to follow the facts wherever they lead and to hold accountable anyone who has broken the law, regardless of their position or power.
Manchin's statement comes at a time when many Republicans are still refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the charges against Trump and his associates. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that the indictment is politically motivated, despite the overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing.
But Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has often been willing to work across the aisle, is taking a different approach. He is calling for a full and fair investigation into the Trump Organization's finances, and he is urging Bragg to use all the tools at his disposal to hold those responsible accountable.
This is not the first time that Manchin has spoken out against Trump. In the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol, he was one of the few Republicans who was willing to condemn the former president's role in inciting the violence. And he has been a vocal advocate for bipartisanship and compromise, even as many in his own party have grown increasingly partisan.
But his latest statement is perhaps his most forceful yet. By calling on Bragg to remove all doubt about the rule of law, he is sending a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how powerful or influential they may be.
It remains to be seen whether Bragg will heed Manchin's call. But the senator's statement is a reminder that there are still politicians in America who are willing to put country over party, and who are committed to upholding the principles of justice and fairness that are at the heart of our democracy.