House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Urges Calm, Discourages Protesting if Former President Trump is Indicted and Arrested

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged calm Sunday and said Americans should not protest if former President Donald Trump is indicted and arrested in a hush-money investigation in New York.

McCarthy made the remarks during a news conference at the start of Republicans’ annual retreat in Orlando, Florida. He dismissed New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation as politically motivated and said that President Trump does not believe that he should be indicted.

“I don’t think people should protest this, no,” McCarthy said. “And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesn’t believe that, either. Nobody should harm one another.”

Bragg has signaled in recent days his office may soon file charges against Trump, a historic moment and the first time a former president would be indicted on criminal charges. Trump had called on his supporters Saturday to “Protest, take our nation back!”

McCarthy’s remarks come as the nation is still reeling from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which was sparked by Trump’s false claims of election fraud. Since then, McCarthy has been vocal in his criticism of the former president, though he has also sought to maintain a close relationship with Trump and his supporters.

The House Speaker’s comments Sunday were a stark contrast to Trump’s call to action, and instead urged Americans to remain peaceful and respectful of the legal process.