AUSTIN, Texas—An expanded team of lawyers for Gov. Rick Perry provided a preview Monday of how it intends to defend the Republican politician from a criminal indictment alleging that he abused his power by trying to oust a Democratic district attorney from office.

Veteran Houston trial lawyer Tony Buzbee, who said at a news conference in the state capital that he will now lead Mr. Perry's defense, called the indictment "banana republic politics" and noted that there are critics of the case across the political spectrum....