The criminal prosecution of former US President Donald Trump 'reeks of a political witch hunt', according to his former press secretary.
Sean Spicer was speaking after Mr Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Mr Trump has claimed he is the victim of election interference, and has condemned New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg for bringing criminal charges against him.
Mr Spicer told Newstalk Breakfast the charges are outside the statute of limitations.
"If you understand the rule of law in the United States, this is nothing short of crazy," he said.
"It's a miscarriage of justice.
"There is a statute of limitation in the United States for a misdemeanour offence of two years - even as a felony it's five years.
"This event occurred in 2016... even if it's elevated as a felony, it would have been expired in 2021".
'We are a country of laws'
Mr Spicer said the situation 'reeks of a political witch hunt.'
The idea that this District Attorney is downgrading 52% of the felonies in New York City in the current day... and yet is resurrecting an event that occurred in 2016, it reeks of [a] political witch hunt".
Mr Spicer said you can't pick and choose the law.
"We are a country of laws, and you don't get to go back in history and say, 'We passed on something'.
"If the situation was as cut and dry as some people are making it out [to be], then why did Cyrus Vance - the long-time, Democratic District Attorney in New York City - pass on this?
"He clearly didn't think there was a case".
'How he handles himself'
Mr Spicer said he believes Mr Trump is currently frontrunner for the White House in 2024.
"If you've looked in the polls in the last couple of months, not only has he grown stronger in the Republican nomination, but in head-to-head matchups with Joe Biden, he continues to best him," he said.
"It is very early, both in terms of the primary end and the general election, so to prejudge how this goes at this stage is very early.
"I think Donald Trump, how he handles himself, will have a lot to do with this".
"Considering the current environment and Joe Biden's record, I think he is, by all accounts, currently favourite," he added.
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