State Republicans host Trump rally at State Capitol without Governor
Hundreds of supporters of the president gathered at the State Capitol on Saturday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Trump’s inauguration. Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, who has yet to appear publicly since being accused of blackmailing a former mistress, did not make an appearance.
Both Attorney General Josh Hawley and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft veered away from commenting on the investigation.
When asked if Greitens should resign, Ashcroft said, “I deal with my own role in government… that’s up to the people of the state.”
Hawley, whose office has a “pending inquiry” on the matter, denied to comment on the investigation but did say, “I hope the governor will be forthright, I hope he will be forthcoming, and I hope he will cooperate with all the relevant investigations.”
Multiple attendees of the rally believed there was no argument for Greitens to leave office. “There’s no reason for him to resign,” one man said. “If he’s committed a crime, then I say he should immediately resign. And he would resign, he’s a class act guy.”
The allegations have drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers. Some state legislators have called for Greitens to step down as governor, but others want to see what the current criminal investigation yields.
Greitens has admitted to the affair but vehemently denied the accusation of blackmail. He told the Associated Press he has no intention of resigning.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is conducting an investigation into the claims of sexual blackmail.
