Responses to the verdict - Trump has been found guilty of a crime.
Throughout the recent court case about concealed hush money payments to a porn star, a panel of jurors found former U.S. President Donald Trump guilty on all accounts. Interestingly, this is the first time in U.S. history that an ex-president has been convicted of a crime. Not surprisingly, the verdict has shaken the nation like never before, caused various emotions, from relief for some to frustration for others.
Trump's response had a cool and expressionless demeanor in front of the courtroom. He made a brief statement regarding the verdict, stating, "This is a disgrace." He described himself as an "innocent man." His lawyer later declared that an appeal would be filed, challenging the verdict.
Mike Johnson, a Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives, was one of the many people who showed support for Trump. He labeled the verdict as "false" and "dangerous." In addition, Johnson said that it was "a shameful day in American history," stating that the decision served more as a "political exercise" rather than a legal one. According to Johnson, it was just another demonstration of how Democrats will stoop to any lengths to silence opposing views and destroy political enemies.
Criticism from Republicans over the verdict on Trump
Several other prominent Republicans and outspoken supporters of Trump had strong reactions to the guilty verdict in the hush money case against the former president. Jim Jordan, the radical Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, called the verdict a "farce." As the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Jordan criticized the "biased judge" and "unfair process," which he believed made it difficult for Trump to pursue his campaign for president.
Donald Trump Jr. took to using a social media platform, X, to vent his frustration, writing, "What a load of bullsh*t!" He argued that Democrats have turned America into "a third-world cesspool" with their years-long mission. He encouraged voting in the upcoming presidential election, stating it as "our last chance to save it."
The former U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, also expressed his view on X. He dismissed the verdict as a personal attack on Trump, stating that millions of Americans don't view Trump as anything less than their 47th president.
The radical Republican congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene, posted a provocative image on X, showing an upside-down American flag. This symbol has been associated with Trump supporters, especially those who advocated the "Stop the Steal" movement that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted on X, mentioning that while everyone is supposedly equal under the law, non-Trump supporters wouldn't have faced the same legal prosecution. If it weren't for Trump, the matter would never have seen a trial. DeSantis had previously backed a Republican presidential candidacy but eventually dropped out of the race and supported his former rival, Trump.
While most Democratic supporters reacted with relief, the verdict's impact on those opposing Trump was hushed. Key prosecution witness Michael Cohen, who worked with Trump, expressed relief for the rule of law. Cohen claimed that it had been a tough journey for him and his family but that "the truth matters." Cohen testified that he had paid hush money with Trump's consent, with the Trump Organization reimbursing Cohen disguised as legal fees.
The White House voiced respect for the rule of law. "We respect the rule of law and have no further comment," stated a White House spokesperson in Washington. "Trump has been found guilty. This is not a victory for one person; it is a victory for the idea that we all follow the same rules. The legal regulations have won today."
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell from California endorsed the jurors' decision on X by saying there's only one effective method to keep Trump from returning to the Oval Office: through the ballot box.
U.S. President Joe Biden used the hush money case's outcome to his advantage during campaigning and fundraising. He emphasized that there's only one way to keep Trump out of the office: via votes.
Biden's campaign team asserted, "The process in New York demonstrated that nobody is above the law." The potential threat Trump poses for democracy, they emphasized, would be even greater if a second term is achieved.
After the verdict against Trump in the hush money case, a group of enthusiasts gathered outside the courthouse in New York, where a few celebrated while others debated with Trump supporters. Plenty of media representatives and a heavy law enforcement presence could also be spotted in the area. The park next to the courthouse had been set up as a designated area for spectators and protesters, ever since the beginning of the trial.
Overall, the emotions elicited by the guilty verdict are starkly divided, with various individuals expressing their sentiments, both for and against Trump.
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Michael Cohen, who once worked closely with Donald Trump, expressed relief after the verdict, stating that the rule of law had been upheld. Despite the guilty verdict, many prominent Republicans, such as Mike Johnson and Jim Jordan, strongly criticized the decision, labeling it as a political exercise aimed at silencing opposing views and destructing political enemies.
