Numerous top Republicans have strongly criticized the highly controversial case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a prosecutor backed by Democrat megadonor George Soros, against former President Donald Trump. The trial ended on Thursday with Trump being convicted on all 34 counts. Trump responded by denouncing the entire ordeal as a political witch hunt orchestrated by Democrats to influence the upcoming presidential election. He emphasized that he was never going to get a fair trial in a district dominated by Democratic voters.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was Trump’s primary challenger earlier this year, expressed his outrage: “Today’s verdict represents the culmination of a legal process that has been bent to the political will of the actors involved: a leftist prosecutor, a partisan judge, and a jury reflective of one of the most liberal enclaves in America—all in an effort to ‘get’ Donald Trump.” DeSantis continued, “That this case—involving alleged misdemeanor business records violations from nearly a decade ago—was even brought is a testament to the political debasement of the justice system in places like New York City. This is especially true considering this same district attorney routinely excuses criminal conduct in a way that has endangered law-abiding citizens in his jurisdiction.”
Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) also weighed in, stating on X: “The case in New York against President Trump has never been about justice. Democrats are weaponizing the justice system against a political opponent. Elections are decided in voting booths, not courtrooms. President Trump will keep fighting to get America back on track.” This sentiment was echoed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who declared, “Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one. The weaponization of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden Administration, and the decision today is further evidence that Democrats will stop at nothing to silence dissent and crush their political opponents.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the ruling a “dark day for America,” adding that the entire trial was “a sham, and it is nothing more than political persecution.” Cruz stated, “The only reason they prosecuted Donald Trump is because Democrats are terrified that he will win reelection. This disgraceful decision is legally baseless and should be overturned promptly on appeal. Any judge with a modicum of integrity would recognize that this entire trial has been utterly fraudulent.”
Even former Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), a vocal critic of Trump while in Congress, condemned the verdict. “Set aside the politics. Today’s verdict is an affront to the Rule of Law and a perversion of justice,” he said. “Bragg weaponized the legal system to indict Trump on charges that never would have been brought against anyone else. This selective and abusive prosecution will further undermine confidence in our Constitution and divide America. It must not stand.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who has had his share of confrontations with Trump, also defended him: “From the beginning, this prosecution and trial have been driven by partisan politics. Despite today’s events, the ultimate verdict is up to the American people on November 5th when they will have a clear choice on the future of our country.” Kemp’s comments underscore the belief among many Republicans that the trial was less about justice and more about political maneuvering to influence the outcome of the upcoming election.
