Top Republicans Blast ‘Sham’ Trial Against Trump: ‘Nothing More Than Political Persecution’

Numerous top Republicans slammed the highly controversial case that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg — who is backed by Democrat megadonor George Soros — brought against former President Donald Trump that ended on Thursday with the former president being convicted on all counts.

Trump responded to the 34 guilty counts by calling the entire ordeal a political witch hunt that was organized by Democrats to rig the upcoming presidential election. The former president noted that he was never going to get a fair trial in the district where the overwhelming majority of voters are Democrats.

“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,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was Trump’s top challenger during the Republican Party primaries earlier this year.

“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,” he continued. “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,” he concluded. “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.”

Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) posted 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.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X: “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.   The American people see this as lawfare, and they know it is wrong—and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict—and he WILL WIN!”

Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley posted on X: “Today’s verdict, handed down by a partisan and biased judge, is an indictment on the Democrats’ campaign to weaponize the judicial system to attack President Trump.”

“The real verdict will take place on November 5 when Americans vote for a president they trust to bring down prices, secure the southern border, restore America’s leadership around the world and Make America Great Again,” Whatley added.

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.”

“The only reason they prosecuted Donald Trump is because Democrats are terrified that he will win reelection,” Cruz said. “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.”

Former Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), who was a vocal critic of Trump while he served in Congress, also slammed 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 at times has had confrontations with the former president, 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.”

Other notable responses from elected Republican leaders included:

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