LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On May 30, former president Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of a federal indictment for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said that the two had sex.
Trump has become the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes.
A judge has set Trump's sentencing for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to select him as the presidential nominee for the 2024 election.
The conviction, and even possible imprisonment, will not bar the former president from running again.
Here are some reactions from Oklahoma and Arkansas lawmakers:
Arkansas
- Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders — "This is a politically-motivated sham trial. The American people decide our elections. Donald Trump will be our next president." Via X
- Senator Tom Cotton — "This verdict, like the case itself, is a travesty of justice. The nakedly partisan judge biased the trial at every turn, from allowing an unconstitutional indictment in the first place to excluding key evidence to rigging the jury instructions. The American people will see right through Joe Biden and the Democrats’ weaponization of the legal system." Via X
- Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Joseph K. Wood — “It’s abundantly clear that the process in New York was biased against President Donald J. Trump from Day One. The Republican Party of Arkansas stands with President Trump. As he said today, ‘the real verdict will be November 5th by the people.’" Via press release
- Senator John Boozman — "The trial and verdict against Pres. Trump are deeply concerning given the many questions that have been raised about its fairness from the outset, undermining Americans’ confidence in the justice system at a time when we can least afford it." Via X
Oklahoma
- Governor Kevin Stitt — "This is the weaponization of our justice system, plain & simple. Regardless who’s in power, this disrespects the Office of the President. This creates chaos & leads to a lack of trust in government. I’m glad Trump will appeal—I hope another judge brings some sense to the matter." Via X
- Senator Markwayne Mullin — "Donald Trump loves America. No amount of political persecution will stop him from fighting to save our country." Via X
- Congressman Josh Brecheen — “Most Americans understand that this trial was a political witch hunt and would have never been brought forth if Donald Trump was not running for President,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen. “Today is a dark day for our country and is an embarrassment to our judicial system. This is clear election interference by Democrats in liberal New York City. Americans will not forget this.” Via press release
- Representative Rick Crawford — "I am saddened that our nation had to go through this trial. The prosecution inflated a charge for a misdemeanor crime – failing to accurately report expenses – for which the statute of limitations had expired, into a federal election crime for purely political purposes. The prosecution wouldn’t have done this had the target not been former President Trump. Justice in America is supposed to be blind. Everyone should be treated equally under the law. I doubt that any other individual who had failed to report business expenses in the appropriate manner would have been put through this type of trial." Via X
5NEWS will update this article as more responses are released.
The Associated Press contributed to parts of this report.
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