Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has sharply criticized the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump, labeling it "incredibly damaging" to the United States. Speaking on "America Reports" just before Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, Rubio expressed deep concern over the political ramifications of the charges, arguing that the indictment will further polarize the nation and erode public trust in its institutions.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts related to his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The indictment, brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, alleges that Trump refused to return classified materials despite government requests.

Rubio characterized the indictment as a politically motivated attack, emphasizing the lack of any specified harm to national security resulting from Trump's actions. He questioned the justification for the charges, asserting that they will place the country in a precarious position leading up to the 2024 election.

The senator also raised concerns about the potential for a tit-for-tat political prosecution in the future, suggesting that the next Republican president may face immense pressure to bring charges against President Biden and his family. He warned that this cycle of politically driven indictments could further destabilize the nation.

While acknowledging that classified documents should not be stored improperly, whether in Biden's garage, Hillary Clinton's server, or Mar-a-Lago, Rubio argued that the indictment fails to demonstrate any direct harm to national security. He contrasted this with the potential damage to the country caused by the indictment itself, which he believes will exacerbate political divisions and undermine faith in American institutions.

The indictment details accusations against Trump for failing to comply with requests to return classified materials, including documents related to defense capabilities, nuclear programs, and potential retaliatory actions against a foreign power. It alleges that Trump stored these documents in various locations at Mar-a-Lago, including a bathroom, and showed them to visitors. The indictment states that the unauthorized disclosure of these documents could jeopardize national security, foreign relations, and the safety of the U.S. military.

Trump has vehemently denied the charges, characterizing them as a politically motivated attack by the Biden administration's Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged to pardon Trump if elected, challenging other candidates to make the same commitment.