SE Illinois News

Former State Senator Darren Bailey is supporting former President Donald Trump in the wake of his federal indictment. 

Bailey, who ran on the GOP ticket for governor in 2022, was at Trump’s birthday bash at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. 

“I am resolved more than ever that President Trump must be elected as our next president. Number 47,” Bailey said in a video recorded at Bedminster. “Because if not, I don't know what's going to become of this nation, this hypocrisy of the left, the hypocrisy of our governor in Illinois, J.B. Pritzker. We, the people, going to do, as I said in breakfast this morning, up on the second floor and having a conversation with some good friends.” 

Bailey shared that they discussed the MAGA movement.

"We talked about the left's hate for MAGA Republicans," Bailey said. "I want you to think about what they are hating and what they're fighting against and what all these people are pushing back against President Trump. MAGA Republicans just just say those words for a minute. Make America great again. What is wrong with that? Friends, we have got have fighters just to stand up in the places of our elected offices. No more just go along to get along. No more to get elected and make a career out of this. No more to get elected and try to show favoritism to the lobbyists for the special interest groups. It's 'we the people' that this government serves and stands for. So I am honored to have been here last night. I'm honored to be here today.”

Bailey is eyeing a possible primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), ABC Chicago reported. Bailey attended a Trump rally in New Jersey, showing his ongoing support for the former president. Bailey won Trump’s endorsement in the 2022 election. Bailey hopes to garner Trump's endorsement once again, as it could be advantageous in the primary race. There is speculation that Bailey might announce his congressional candidacy at an upcoming event on July 4.

Trump, who turned 77 the day after his indictment was charged by a federal grand jury related to mishandling classified White House documents that were found at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The indictment marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has faced federal charges. Trump's attorney, according to New York Post, previously confirmed that his client is facing seven charges, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements and representations. The indictment caught law enforcement agencies by surprise, as the Secret Service and U.S. Marshals did not receive advance notice of the charges. Trump's legal team received a summons via email, and authorities are now scrambling to prepare for his court appearance in Miami. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and called the indictment "election interference" and "the greatest witch hunt of all time." He announced the indictment on his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing President Joe Biden's handling of classified material and proclaiming his innocence.

Trump is facing 37 federal charges including 31 counts under the Espionage Act of “willful retention” of classified records. He had pleaded not guilty, according to Politico.

Meanwhile, Biden’s own case over mishandling classified documents seems to not be going anywhere. Recent reports reveal Kathy S. Chung, the custodian of his vice presidential records and a key witness in the investigation of his classified documents, was involved in another documents scandal during the Clinton administration, according to court records. Chung, a longtime aide to Biden, was part of a team that withheld and destroyed key documents related to the Chinagate fundraising investigation, Paul Perry reported on RealClearInvestigations.

Chung is now under investigation for unlawfully handling top-secret materials, as she was tasked with removing boxes containing classified documents from the White House and storing them at various locations, including her office in the Chinatown neighborhood and Biden's home. Congressional investigators are concerned about the Biden family's dealings in China and whether they are connected to the mishandling of classified documents. The case has raised suspicions of a potential counterespionage case involving China and national security. Chung's role in both the Biden and Clinton administrations highlights the complex relationship between the Biden family's public service and business interests.