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AFP
AFP
New York (AFP) – A New York jury convicted Donald Trump on all charges in his hush money case Thursday in a seismic development barely five months ahead of the election where he seeks to recapture the White House. The first criminal trial of a former US president ended with the 77-year-old Trump found guilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment meant to silence porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump — who was released without bail and is all but certain to appeal — initially sat still in the drab Manhattan courtroom, shoulders dipping. Addressing reporters outsi…
Sorry day for our country.
Why? Do you want a convicted felon as our president?
Here are reactions to the conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records:
Biden for President campaign: “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law. Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not Trump will be the Republican nominee for president. The threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater. He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution. pledging to be a dictator “on day one,” and calling for our constitution to be “terminated” so he can regain and keep power. A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans freedoms and fomenting political violence. And the American people will reject it this November.” {From NJ.Com]
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana): “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!” [Raw Story]
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JEWISH REACTIONS:
Andy Sabin, a metals businessman and Republican donor who supported three different candidates in the Republican presidential before settling on voting for Trump but has not donated to him so far, does not see the verdict having an impact. “I haven’t met one donor yet that gives a shit about the trial. No matter how much they hate Trump, they think he’s getting screwed,” said Sabin, who regularly attends fundraisers and is donating to congressional candidates. Trump can absolutely win the election, Sabin added, “as long as he keeps his mouth shut.” [City AM]
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U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California), a candidate for U.S. Senate: “Guilty. Today, twelve ordinary American citizens found a former president guilty of dozens of felonies. Despite his efforts to distract, delay, and deny – justice arrived for Donald Trump all the same. And the rule of law prevailed.”
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Halie Soifer, CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America:The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) is a values-driven organization. One of these fundamental values is the pursuit of justice – tzedek, tzedek, tirdof – “justice, justice, you shall pursue.” Today, justice was served when 12 jurors in New York confirmed that Donald Trump is a felon.
Trump was on trial for 34 felony counts and was found guilty on every count. Trump had his day in court. Soon, we’ll have our day at the ballot box. Until then, it’s up to us to make sure that this convicted felon doesn’t return to the White House.
Today’s verdict demonstrates that no one – including a former president and presumptive presidential nominee – is above the law. It also demonstrates the threat Trump poses to our democracy, community, and values. Shortly after being found guilty, Trump continued to fuel the fire of antisemitic conspiracy theories by blaming the “Soros-backed” district attorney for leading the case. Less than an hour after the jury returned its verdict, Trump was spewing hate and blaming Jews.
More than three out of four Jewish American voters (77%) had an unfavorable view of Donald Trump before these convictions. That percentage will grow given that he’s no longer just an insurrectionist who pledges to be a ‘dictator on day one’ and brags about overturning Roe v. Wade – he’s a convicted felon.
Donald Trump is an affront to our Jewish values, which is why Jewish voters will once again overwhelmingly reject him in November. Jewish voters understand that a second Trump term would be an assault on our democracy, and we will do everything we can to ensure this convicted felon never returns to the White House. [Press Release]
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Alan Dershowitz, attorney: “I don’t know whether the case will be reversed on appeal. I don’t think it would be reversed by the appellate division. These are judges who are terrified of being perceived of as helping Trump in any way. Don’t know whether or not the New York Court of Appeals in Albany will have the ability to not consider the impact it will have on individuals as judges. Surely the Supreme Court wouldn’t, but that’s a way off and there wouldn’t be a decision by the Supreme Court, probably before the election.” [The Daily Caller]
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Barbra Streisand, singer:”Convicted felon Donald Trump is blaming the judge, the jury and New York for being found guilty on 34 counts. He will never accept accountability for his crimes. Americans must not allow this felon anywhere near the White House again.” [OK Magazine]