In a historic ruling, former President Donald Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records Thursday, marking the first time a former U.S. president has been found guilty of a crime after leaving office.
This verdict has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, particularly in the state of Florida, where Trump has maintained a strong following and deep connections within the Republican party.
The news of Trump's conviction has elicited a wide range of reactions from Florida's political figures, with the state's Republicans and Democrats taking sharply contrasting stances.
Read: Ohio Sen. JD Vance Explains ‘Sham’ Prosecution Of Trump As Wolf Blitzer Tries To Interrupt
Governor Ron DeSantis, a prominent ally of Trump, quickly dismissed the charges:
“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.
“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. It is often said that no one is above the law, but it is also true that no one is below the law."
If the defendant were not Donald Trump, this case would never have been brought, the judge would have never issued similar rulings, and the jury would have never returned a guilty verdict. In America, the rule of law should be applied in a dispassionate, even-handed manner, not become captive to the political agenda of some kangaroo court.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power accused the district attorney and judge of “making a mockery of our judicial system,” alleged Democrats engaged in “election interference,” and said that “in the real world,” Trump “only grows stronger.”
Read: ALAN DERSHOWITZ: The Exact Courtroom Moment I Knew Trump Was Doomed
In contrast, U.S. Representative Frederica Wilson, a Florida Democrat, celebrated the verdict, stating that it shows "our justice system at work!"
“No one is above the law, including the four-time indicted, twice impeached, insurrection inciter and now convicted felon, former President Donald Trump,” Wilson said in a statement.
The timing of Trump's conviction has fueled intense speculation about its potential impact on the 2024 presidential election, in which he is currently campaigning to defeat President Joe Biden and return to the White House.
While some polls suggest that a guilty verdict may not significantly sway the voting choices of roughly two-thirds of voters, the legal implications and the ongoing legal battles surrounding the case could still have far-reaching consequences for Trump's political future and the future of all politicians.
Following the verdict, Trump pointed to appeal and gave an impromptu stump speech.
“We're a nation in decline. Serious decline,” he said. “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's in big trouble. But this was a rigged decision, right from day one. You have a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case. And we will fight for our constitution. This is long from over.”
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.
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