Perry Doubles Down After Indictment

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is not letting his indictment on abuse-of-power charges stop him from attempting to bolster his image ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Perry participated in an immigration and foreign policy discussion at a Washington think tank on Thursday before travelling to the politically important state of New Hampshire.

“I am very confident in my case and I can assure that I will fight this attack of our system of government and with my fellow citizens, both Republican and Democrats, I aim to defend our Constitution and stand up for the rule of law,” Perry said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

Perry was indicted last week for charges of abuse of power and coercion of a public servant. The Republican vetoed funding for a public integrity unit after District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, who headed the unit, refused to step down following her 2012 arrest for driving while intoxicated.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

This weekend, voters in the Granite State will get their first look at Perry since his failed 2012 White House bid. The longest-serving governor in Texas history has been in the process of rebuilding his image and has become an authoritative voice on the nation’s immigration crisis.

At the very least, Perry’s indictment has proved to be a distraction as he ponders another presidential run. Still, he has not delayed any travel and also has plans to visit the early voting states of Iowa and South Carolina.

• Add to Google

Defiant Perry Says He'll Fight Political 'Attack'

01:03

IN-DEPTH

• Texas Governor Rick Perry Turns Himself in for Abuse-of-Power Charges
• Falling Stars: GOP's Top 2016 Hopefuls Embroiled in Scandal
• Texas Governor Rick Perry Unveils High-Powered Defense Team

SOCIAL

-- Andrew Rafferty