Historic Guilty Verdict: Reactions to Trump's Conviction

A New York jury found Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment. This verdict has triggered a wave of responses from political figures, both criticizing and defending Trump. The trial's outcome highlights deep political divides and raises questions about future elections and the rule of law.

A New York jury on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star, making him the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime.

Here are some reactions to the historic verdict: REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TRUMP

"This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt. ... We'll keep fighting. We'll fight to the end, and we'll win. ... The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people. They know what happened here. I am a very innocent man." CAMPAIGN OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS

"In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law. Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today's verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president. "The threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater. He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution, pledging to be a dictator 'on day one' and calling for our Constitution to be 'terminated' so he can regain and keep power. A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans' freedoms and fomenting political violence – and the American people will reject it this November."

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON IAN SAMS, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFICE

"We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment." HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JIM JORDAN, REPUBLICAN OF OHIO

"The verdict is a travesty of justice. The Manhattan kangaroo court shows what happens when our justice system is weaponized by partisan prosecutors in front of a biased judge with an unfair process, designed to keep President Trump off the campaign trail and avoid bringing attention to President Biden's failing radical policies. Americans see through Democrats' lawfare tactics and know President Trump will be vindicated on appeal." US REPRESENTATIVE JERRY NADLER, DEMOCRAT AND RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

US REPRESENTATIVE ERIC SWALWELL, DEMOCRAT OF CALIFORNIA "Donald Trump is a convicted felon. This verdict is not a win for any single person. It's a win for an idea. The idea that we all follow the same rules. The rule of law won today."

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIR ELISE STEFANIK OF NEW YORK, POTENTIAL VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER STEVE SCALISE, REPUBLICAN OF LOUISIANA

"Today's verdict is a devastating defeat for any American who believes in the critical legal tenet that justice is blind. It was clear from the beginning that President Biden teamed up with heavily biased DA Alvin Bragg to go after President Biden's political opponent regardless of wrongdoing, while hardened criminals are set free in New York to commit more violent crimes against innocent citizens. This verdict will not withstand an appeal, and was only brought as an attempt to interfere with the 2024 election. The radical partisan Democrats behind this abuse of our justice system will not prevail. The voters will settle this on November 5th." US REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN BOEBERT, REPUBLICAN OF COLORADO "As we all knew, this was ALWAYS about election interference and stopping President Trump from winning his rightful re-election to the White House. The American people see through the Democrat games and know this is a sham verdict. We stand with PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!"

US SENATOR RAND PAUL, REPUBLICAN OF KENTUCKY "How long can our Republic survive once partisans have taken over the judicial process? This verdict will tragically undermine Americans confidence in impartial justice. A sad day for America…"

US REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF, DEMOCRAT OF CALIFORNIA "This verdict is the corrupt result of a corrupt trial, a corrupt judge, and a corrupt DA. We will stand with President Trump now more than ever to save the country.

US REPRESENTATIVE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, REPUBLICAN OF GEORGIA "This was a sham trial and the clearest example we've ever seen of election interference. I am furious and no American is safe from Democrat political persecution. Joe Biden and the Democrat machine manufactured a legal case against Trump to win an election. I went to New York to stand with President Trump and the American voters will stand with him this November."

US SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM, REPUBLICAN OF SOUTH CAROLINA DONALD TRUMP JR.

"Such bullshit." RIGHT-WING ACTIVIST TIM POOL

"War." (Compiled by Jonathan Oatis; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

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