Hochul, Tenney react to Trump being found guilty
Former President Donald J. Trump
A jury in Manhattan found former President Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records on all 34 felony counts today. Trump is to be sentenced on July 11 and is the first former president to be found guilty of a felony. He also is the first major-party candidate to be convicted of a crime while campaigning for the White House.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement: “Today’s verdict reaffirms that no one is above the law. In preparation for a verdict in this trial, I directed my Administration to closely coordinate with local and federal law enforcement and we continue to monitor the situation. We are committed to protecting the safety of all New Yorkers and the integrity of our judicial system.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, a Republican elected in New York’s 24th Congressional District, decried the “rigged verdict” in the Trump trial. She issued this statement:
“This trial was never about the rule of law, it was a shameless attempt to silence President Trump. Biden is engaging in clear election interference against his opponent who is beating him in the polls.
“As a member of the New York Bar and daughter of a New York State Supreme Court Justice, I am appalled by the unethical politically motivated antics of Judge Merchan. He imposed unnecessary and unconstitutional gag orders on President Trump, effectively silencing him and hindering his ability to campaign freely.
“Judge Merchan engaged in obvious and unethical bias in a rush to get a guilty verdict, not to ensure justice under the law. Our country was founded on the principle of blind justice, but the Left has weaponized our legal system, trampling this core principle of our nation. This alarming abuse of power underscores a deeply troubling reality: we have a politicized, two-tiered system of justice in America.”
Congressman Joe Morelle, A Democrat representing NY’s 25th District, issued this statement:
“Today’s conviction of Donald Trump makes crystal clear a fundamental truth of our democracy: no one—not even a former President of the United States—is above the law.
“I am grateful to the jury of everyday Americans who demonstrated exactly how our justice system is intended to work. It is my hope this brings us closer to uniting our country and restoring America’s faith in truth, integrity, and accountability.”
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt made this statement on social media: “The political weaponization of our judicial system by Democrats is disgraceful. This trial was a disgrace from the beginning and will rightfully be appealed.
“It will backfire on them when Donald Trump and Republicans win at the ballot box on November 5th.”
