Texas Gov. Rick Perry's team of lawyers said on Monday the governor would defend against the two-count felony charges of abuse of power filed by the grand jury last week, calling the indictment "banana republic politics."

At a news conference on Monday, veteran trial lawyer Tony Buzbee announced he would lead the defense, adding that Perry would fight the indictment "100 percent."

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He said the charges were outrageous and were likely shared by critics from both sides of the political spectrum.

Benjamin Ginsberg, a Washington D.C. lawyer who worked with George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 and a member of the defense team, said the fact that Perry had conveyed his intent to veto the budget served to demonstrate transparency and should not be mistaken for "pejorative."

The defense declared that Perry had a right under the First Amendment to voice his concerns over an official he deemed to be unfit.

Perry had been the subject of investigation last year after he allegedly withheld a US$7.5 million funding for the Travis Country Public Integrity Unit - which operates the anti-political corruption investigations in Texas - unless Democrat District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg resigned.

Lehmberg was arrested for drunk driving. Her intoxication levels were reportedly three times over the limit.

While in custody, a videotape revealed she had lashed out at police officers and had to be physically restrained.

Though Perry urged Lehmberg to resign, he had reportedly tried to allay the Democrats' concerns and promised to replace her with their desired candidate, according to Fox News.

Democratic supporters filed a complaint against the governor. Perry was subsequently indicted with abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant.

If found guilty of the first charge, Perry faces a jail time of five to 99 years while the second charge would give a maximum of 10 years.

Observers note the indictment may not carry serious weight with regard to Perry's bid for a nomination in the 2016 presidential race with the GOP rallying against the case as a partisan attack.

However, it may weaken backing from third party donors and supporters who have been wary of his viability as a presidential candidate especially after his blunder in the 2012 GOP presidential nominations.

TagsRick Perry, Indictment, Tony Buzbee, Benjamin Ginsberg, Travis County DA, ROSEMARY LEHMBERG