FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Hoosier lawmakers are reacting to the indictment of former president Donald Trump. The charges are in connection to hush-money payments the former president allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Congressman Larry Bucshon (R-IN DISTRICT 8) took to Twitter Thursday night to defend Trump. “It’s a shameful abuse of power by Manhattan DA Bragg. Dems should be against this action if they hold American values. This indictment risks damaging the very fabric of our country. Frivolous charges against political opponents is something that happens in third world countries.”

U.S. Senator Mike Braun, who is also running for Indiana governor in 2024, said, “Our justice system is being abused as a political weapon to go after former President Trump and affect an election. This indictment is clearly a politically-motivated prosecution by a DA who ignores murders and carjackings but will contort the law to attack his political enemy.”

During an interview with CNN, former Vice President and one-time Indiana governor Mike Pence, who is also considering a run for the Presidency against Trump in 2024, said, “I really do believe that this decision today is a great disservice to the country. And the idea that for the first time in American history, a former president would be indicted on a campaign finance issue to me, it just smacks of political prosecution,” Pence said. “I think the overwhelming majority of the American people will see it that way.”