Let’s relive the best hits of Trump-loving Arkansas Republicans

By now, you’ve certainly heard that former President Donald Trump was indicted yesterday by a New York grand jury that decided he ought to stand trial over fees associated to paying off porn star Stormy Daniels to remain quiet about their sexual encounter. 

The latest rumblings a few potential indictment or arrest despatched us scrambling by the Arkansas Instances archives and elsewhere for tales about how Arkansas legislators have embraced the controversial actuality star-turned-president-turned-criminal-defendant through the years. We discovered some doozies. 

The perfect of all, which had slipped our minds, was that the first Arkansas legislator to endorse Trump was Jon Woods. That’s the identical Jon Woods who was sentenced to greater than 18 years in federal jail after being convicted in a kickback scheme involving a state fund and Ecclesia School in Springdale. Woods would finally ask Trump for a suspended sentence in exchange for working on Trump’s border wall. Sure, actually. A conservative columnist urged for a pardon for Woods as nicely however Trump didn’t supply one. A lot for that early endorsement, I assume. 

After Woods threw his assist behind Trump, the Arkansas Instances’ David Ramsey caught up with Woods to ask him about it. Right here’s a snippet: 

I requested Woods what points have been most necessary to him within the marketing campaign. 

“I feel the rationale why he’s doing so nicely,” Woods responded, “is that he tells it like it’s. He calls people and organizations out for what they’re. He is aware of find out how to cope with bullies. And I feel lots of people know what it’s wish to be bullied. Lots of people see him as being bullied. That makes individuals gravitate towards him extra. He’s somebody who can take an incredible quantity of strain and warmth and never again down, which is uncommon. That’s a giant turn-on for lots of people, that appeals to numerous of us.” 

Tright here’s additionally the tweet the place Woods extolled his favourite tie, which was from the Donald Trump assortment: 

My favourite tie has all the time been my blue @realDonaldTrump tie. I’ve had it for 4 years. Vote @realDonaldTrump in the present day! https://t.co/SzpJvyTuif

— Jon Woods (@Jon_Woods) March 1, 2016

Along with Woods, clearly, there’s Governor Sarah Sanders who labored as Trump’s combative press secretary. There are many situations of Sanders praising Trump, however let’s restrict this to the prison matter at hand. In 2018, Trump was reportedly upset with how Sanders responded to questions in regards to the president’s affair with Daniels (whose actual title is Stephanie Clifford). When requested if the president knew his legal professional Michael Cohen had paid Daniels $130,000, Sanders informed the media “not that I’m conscious of.” 

Former state Sen. Trent Garner was additionally a giant Arkansas Trumpian, telling Andrew DeMillo of the Associated Press that Arkansas is now basically Trumpland and that then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson was a “relic of the previous.” Garner, filled with bombast and venom for some time, has quietly light away after his bid to become a public defender didn’t go as planned. 

There was the time Sen. Missy Irvin urged the Arkansas Legislative Council to cross a resolution condemning Congress for impeaching Trump. In her testimony earlier than the committee, Irvin appeared extra bothered by the impeachment course of than she did Trump’s holding again of navy assist to Ukraine in change for political strain on his opponent Joe Biden. Irvin stated she was talking up for Arkansans who have been bothered by what they have been seeing. Twenty-six Arkansas Republican legislators signed on to Irvin’s decision.  

Lastly, bear in mind the hubbub Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) prompted when he refused to endorse Trump on stage on the Republican Nationwide Conference in 2016? Right here’s a video of then-state Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Bigelow) being confronted by Cruz supporters on the convention floor. Rapert had first supported former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee earlier than turning to Cruz. Rapert finally landed on Trump, tweeting “by no means skilled extra vanity than I simply endured from #NeverTrump backers. Very unhappy to see GOP members behave that means. I’ve dedicated every part I’ve to assist the #GOP to elect conservatives to avoid wasting our nation – we MUST now assist Trump.” 

These are only a few of the best hits of Arkansas’s most distinguished Trump supporters. Have some other favourite moments of Arkansas pols praising the twice-impeached, once-indicted former president? Add them within the feedback.

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