Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty by a New York jury of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star, marking a historic moment as the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime.
In response to the verdict, Trump, who is also a Republican presidential candidate, denounced the trial as a “disgrace” and claimed it was rigged by a corrupt judge. He vowed to continue fighting and expressed confidence in winning the real verdict from the people on Nov. 5.
On the other hand, the campaign of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed the verdict, emphasizing that no one is above the law. They highlighted the importance of holding Trump accountable for his actions and urged the American people to reject him at the ballot box.
Meanwhile, Republican House of Representatives Committee Chairman Jim Jordan criticized the verdict as a travesty of justice, accusing the prosecution of weaponizing the justice system for political gain. He expressed confidence that Trump would be vindicated on appeal.
In contrast, Democratic US Representative Eric Swalwell celebrated the verdict as a win for the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of holding everyone accountable to the same standards.
The historic verdict has sparked a range of reactions from political figures, setting the stage for a contentious battle leading up to the next election.