SPARTANBURG — Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Tim Scott called the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump a “serious case with serious allegations” at a June 12 campaign appearance while also condemning a justice system he said was “targeting and hunting Republicans.”
Scott took aim at the U.S. Department of Justice and President Joe Biden, saying they specifically target GOP politicians. His event came days after the Justice Department charged Trump with 37 federal crimes in his handling of classified documents.
“As Americans, we have to have a justice system where the lady of justice wears a blindfold,” Scott told reporters following his Spartanburg appearance, where he rolled out a list of endorsements by South Carolina politicians.
“What we see today across this administration of President Joe Biden is a double standard," he said. "That double standard is both un-American and unacceptable. You can’t protect Democrats while targeting and hunting Republicans.”
Scott said he recognized the case against Trump is serious.
Asked if he would pardon Trump if the former president were convicted, Scott said he didn’t want to speculate on a hypothetical question. The query came after fellow Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would pardon Trump.
Scott said that as president he would restore faith in the Justice Department “so that every single American could have confidence that they will be treated the same, no matter your color and no matter your partisan affiliation.”
Among Scott’s list of more than 140 endorsers is Sen. Shane Massey, the Republican majority leader of the S.C. Senate, and former U.S. Rep. Henry Brown of Hanahan, who held the 1st Congressional District seat before Scott did.
Massey, in a prepared statement, said people are supporting Scott’s campaign because “they’ve seen his affirmational life story up close."
“Tim Scott is the real deal,” Massey said. “I know he is the authentic conservative leader we need in the White House right now.”
State Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, spoke in endorsement of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott's presidential campaign during a stop in Spartanburg on June 12, 2023. Nathaniel Cary/Staff
State Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, who chairs the House Ways and Means committee, called Scott a “common-sense guy… and you all know that common sense lives in the conservative world."
Bannister said Scott fights against “radical liberals” who try to take religion and patriotism out of the national discussion.
Scott lauded his work to pass legislation that created federal opportunity zones to encourage development in blighted or underutilized communities. He credited the city of Spartanburg’s use of an opportunity zone in recently landing a new minor league baseball franchise, which will relocate from Kinston, N.C., to a planned new ballpark the city of Spartanburg will own.
He said more than $200 billion has been invested across the country in opportunity zones.
Rob Rain, a Spartanburg City Council member, introduced Scott and said the senator has worked to improve lives of South Carolinians at every level. He cited Scott’s work on home rule, opportunity zones and cutting taxes.
“Each day, Tim fights for each American to succeed just as he has,” Rain said.
City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann also endorsed Scott and said his work to develop opportunity zones shows Scott’s desire to expand the American Dream.
The list of endorsers included current and former state and local lawmakers. The show of support comes amid a crowded field seeking the Republican nomination for president and includes fellow South Carolinian and former Gov. Nikki Haley.
Asked why South Carolina voters should choose him instead of Haley, Scott didn’t mention her in his response, instead continuing to share his own story. He spoke of growing up with a single mother living in poverty and feeling hopeless until mentors installed a belief in him that he could “rise beyond those circumstances.”
“I’m the best choice because I’ve been on both sides of that proverbial track,” he said. “I’ve had the good fortune of seeing the American Dream become my reality, and I want to ensure my American Dream pales in comparison to the next generation’s.”
