Elected officials around the state of Arizona have shared their thoughts following the conviction of former President Donald Trump (R) on all 34 charges in the hush money trial surrounding the adult film star Stormy Daniels. President Trump was accused of paying his lawyer, Michael Cohen, $130,000 to cover up the affair with Daniels. Trump denies this claim.
Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) called the process surrounding Trump's case a "sham."
“I completely disagree with this shameful verdict. This trial has been a sham from the beginning and while I am angry with the decision, I am not at all surprised by the Democrats’ actions and efforts to silence and destroy their greatest political opponent and threat. Our justice system is lost and this verdict will not withstand an appeal,” stated Rep. Gosar.
Moreover, Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) called the trial a use of political weaponization from the Democrats.
"They shamelessly weaponized our 'justice' system against their political opponent with a rigged trial. Unjust and un-American. I stand with President Donald J. Trump," said Rep. Crane. He also added, "Turns out that when the ruling class of Democrats 'defends democracy,' it looks a lot like election interference."
However, Representative and U.S. Senate hopeful Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) stated that he has "respect" for the justice system after the ruling.
"I respect our justice system and the rule of law. The process played out, and we should always demand accountability from our elected leaders," said Rep. Gallego.
Trump himself called the trial “rigged” and presided over by a “conflicted” and “corrupt” judge.
🚨🚨BREAKING: Donald Trump reacts to the Manhattan jury's guilty verdict:
"The real verdict will be November 5th by the people."
"The whole country is being rigged right now. This is being done by the Biden Administration in order to hurt or wound a political opponent."
"We'll… pic.twitter.com/fhsRrnd1zE
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 30, 2024
“This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt. It’s a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change, we were at 5%, 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here,” said Trump.
He continued by claiming his innocence.
“You have a Soros-backed DA. And the whole thing, we didn’t do anything wrong. I’m a very innocent man. And it’s okay. I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution. Our country’s being rigged right now. This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt a political opponent. And I think it’s just a disgrace, and we’ll keep fighting, we’ll fight to the end and win.
“We don’t have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. We’re a nation of decline, serious decline. Millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions; terrorists, and they’re taking over our country. We have a country that is in big trouble, but this was a rigged decision right from day one with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case. Never. And we will fight for our Constitution. This is far from over.”
Judge Juan Merchan set the former President’s sentencing date for July 11.
