Republican allies of former President Trump expressed outrage after a New York jury found him guilty on all 34 charges in his hush-hush criminal trial.
Thursday marked the first time in American history when Trump became the first former or current president to claim the moniker of convicted felon after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of falsifying business records.
The verdict injected uncertainty into an already tumultuous election cycle, although party members rushed to his defense and criticized the decision. In brief comments after the verdict was announced, Trump called it a “fraudulent decision” and promised that “this is far from over.”
Many of his allies agreed.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the trial was a “purely political exercise” and made baseless claims that the Biden administration was responsible for the conviction in New York.
“Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges based on the testimony of a convicted felon expelled from prison,” Johnson said.
“Weaponizing our judicial system has been a hallmark of the Biden administration, and today’s decision is further proof that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents,” Johnson added. . “The American people see this as legal warfare and know it is wrong – and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict – and he WILL WIN!”
Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s top campaign advisers, said in a post on the social platform that “FIX has always been in…”
Matt Schlapp, president of the American Conservative Union, described the events as “a tragic day in American history” and promised that Trump would win office again.
Republicans also took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) and Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case.
“This verdict is the corrupt result of a corrupt trial, a corrupt judge and a corrupt prosecutor,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida). “We will stand with President Trump now more than ever to save the country.”
Some Republicans who were touted as potential Trump vice presidential candidates also criticized the decision.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) called a verdict a “complete hoax that mocks our justice system” and suggested it was politically motivated. He also attacked Merchan’s family.
“Biden and Trump’s deranged left will stop at nothing to stay in power,” he added.
Even Republicans who previously had a frosty relationship with Trump defended the former president. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) – whose relationship with Trump has suffered as a result of a bitter primary battle for the 2024 GOP nomination – criticized the verdict in a post on X.
“Today’s verdict represents the culmination of a legal process that was subjected to the political will of the actors involved: a left-leaning prosecutor, a partisan judge, and a jury that reflects one of the most liberal enclaves in America – all in an effort to ‘get it’ Donald Trump,” DeSantis said.
“It is often said that no one is above the law, but it is also true that no one is below the law. If the defendant had not been Donald Trump, this case would never have been brought, the judge would never have issued similar rulings, and the jury would never have returned a guilty verdict,” he continued. “In America, the rule of law must be applied impartially and impartially, and not be captive to the political agenda of some kangaroo court.”
Trump is leading President Biden in the polls in several battleground states as the president suffers submerged approval ratings and an ongoing crisis over the Israel-Hamas war, where Democratic primary voters voted against him.
But Trump’s conviction raises questions about how it could impact his own standing among voters, especially those who supported Trump’s primary rival, Nikki Haley.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
