Trump defends indicted GOP congressman

Former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump goes after Cassidy after saying he wouldn’t support him for president in 2024 Jan. 6 panel lays out criminal contempt case against Bannon Hillicon Valley — Presented by Xerox — Agencies sound alarm over ransomware targeting agriculture groups MORE defended Rep. Jeff FortenberryJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FortenberryOvernight Defense: Senators reach billion deal on emergency Capitol security bill | House panel looks to help military sexual assault survivors | US increases airstrikes to help Afghan forces fight Taliban US delegation departs Haiti after reports of gunshots at ex-president’s funeral Biden announces delegation to attend Haitian president’s funeral MORE (R-Neb.) in a statement Tuesday night shortly after the GOP lawmaker was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Fortenberry was charged with one count of scheming to conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators after allegedly concealing information about illegal contributions to his 2016 campaign.

“Isn’t it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, when half of the United States Congress lied about made up scams,” Trump said in his statement.

He also referenced frequent targets Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonOvernight Defense & National Security — Presented by Raytheon Technologies — Nation mourns Colin Powell The Memo: Powell ended up on losing side of GOP fight Powell death leads to bipartisan outpouring of grief MORE and James ComeyJames Brien ComeyGiuliani told investigators it was OK to ‘throw a fake’ during campaign DOJ watchdog unable to determine if FBI fed Giuliani information ahead of 2016 election Biden sister has book deal, set to publish in April MORE, saying they lied with no repercussions. 

“[T]hey made up fairy tales about me knowing how badly it would hurt the U.S.A.—and nothing happens to them. Is there no justice in our Country?” he concluded.

Fortenberry had denied all the accusations against him and said he will fight the charges.

“We will fight these charges. I did not lie to them,” Fortenberry said. “This is wrong on so many levels.”

Fortenberry allegedly received $30,000 from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire, and allegedly learned about the donation in 2018.

Foreign nationals are not allowed to donate to U.S. campaigns and the money was allegedly circumvented so the individual donor limit could be surpassed. 

Authorities say Fortenberry lied to authorities when asked if he knew about the donation and worked to actively cover it up.