Former President Trump defended Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (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 Clinton and James Comey, saying the former secretary of State and former FBI director, respectively, lied with no repercussions.
“They 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.