The Republican National Committee has admitted that it is paying some of former President Donald Trump‘s legal bills in the cascade of lawsuits he and his businesses are facing from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. (D) and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).
The RNC made two payments of $121,670 to the law firm of Ronald Fischetti, a defense attorney whom Trump hired in the spring as Vance and James zeroed in on his private business practices. Suspicions of tax evasion and fraud are at the forefront of the probes led by Vance and James.
It is highly unusual for a major political party to dole out cash for one of its candidates’ personal legal woes. But it also demonstrates the power that Trump has over the GOP establishment.
“As a leader of our party, defending President Trump and his record of achievement is critical to the GOP. It is entirely appropriate for the RNC to continue assisting in fighting back against the Democrats’ never-ending witch hunt and attacks on him,” the GOP said in a written statement defending its decision to use donor money to cover Trump’s mounting legal expenses.
Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich also defended the party’s decision to cover Trump’s bills.
“The RNC is our important partner in advancing America First policies and fighting back against the endless witch hunts,” Budowich said in a statement. “The Democrats have become obsessed with weaponizing their offices against President Trump, which is a complete abandonment of their Constitutional obligations.”
