Senate Republicans on Thursday widely criticized the guilty verdict against former President Trump for falsifying business records, arguing that it was a “disgrace,” a “sham” and that the real verdict will come in November.
Republicans wasted no time in making the decision after a jury found Trump guilty on all 34 charges. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who seeks to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in the party’s top spot next year, called on Republicans to unite around the former president .
“This verdict is a disgrace and this trial should never have happened,” Cornyn wrote on social platform. “Now more than ever, we need to rally behind @realdonaldtrump, take back the White House and Senate, and get this country back on track. The real verdict will be on election day.”
Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.), the Senate’s No. 3 Republican, accused the Biden administration of “weaponizing” the judicial system against the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.
“The case in New York against President Trump was never a question of justice,” Barrasso said in a statement. “Democrats are weaponizing the justice system against a political opponent. Elections are decided in voting booths, not in courts.”
“President Trump will continue fighting to get America back on track,” he continued.
Trump’s allies lined up behind him immediately after the verdict, making him the first former president to be a convicted felon.
“This verdict is an absolute miscarriage of justice,” said Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), a potential running mate of the former president. “While the outcome of this trial will undoubtedly be subject to appeal, it is an embarrassment to our judicial system that such measures are necessary.”
“The partisan bias of this jury shows why we should litigate politics at the ballot box and not in court,” he continued. “Ultimately, I have faith that the 2024 elections will be decided by the American people, not corrupt judges and prosecutors.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a leading Trump supporter, said he hopes the verdict is overturned on appeal and said he is concerned about what it means for the presidency overall.
“The Manhattan legal system has become a joke in every sense of the word. This is a mockery of justice,” Graham said. “I fear we have opened Pandora’s box for the presidency itself.”
Even those who were not among Trump’s most ardent supporters agreed to support the former president.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in a statement that he was “shocked” by the verdict and placed the blame on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), whom he called a “radical and politically motivated state.” district Attorney [who] was using the full weight of his office to go after President Trump while turning a blind eye to violent criminals.”
“I hope and expect that President Trump will appeal this verdict to address fundamental questions, including whether President Trump received a fair trial and whether the Manhattan district attorney had jurisdiction over a federal election issue,” Tillis continued.
Even Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who voted to convict Trump in his Jan. 6 impeachment trial, said that while he wasn’t surprised by the verdict, he disagreed with it.
“The jury was led to believe that two misdemeanors constitute a felony and that a state court could enforce federal law. None of this feels right. The rule of law must apply equally to both parties,” Cassidy said. “I don’t agree with the verdict.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
