A New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts in his unprecedented hush money case on Thursday. Trump labeled the trial as “disgraceful,” and his legal team has indicated plans to appeal.
Prosecutors accused Trump of participating in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and an unlawful scheme to suppress negative information, which included concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star.
Local political figures in Sullivan County shared their reactions to the verdict.
Anne Hart, Chair of the Democratic Committee in Sullivan County, expressed her satisfaction with the jury’s decision. “I want to thank the jury for doing their job… I’m pleased with the verdict. We don’t know what will happen with the appeals court or where it will go, but for now, we feel like justice has been served.”
Greg Goldstein, Chair of the Republican Committee in Sullivan County, had mixed feelings. “This is our justice system. That’s what makes our country great. As chairman of the party, I’m not totally happy with the results, but as a person who understands it, that’s what it is at this point and I accept that.”
Congressman Marc Molinaro of NY-19 voiced strong disapproval of the trial. “This is how we’re going to do politics now? Not through spirited debates, but by weaponizing the justice and court system to attack a political rival right before the election. This is a perversion of our justice system. The leading contender for the presidency doesn’t belong behind bars. It’s disgraceful, unprecedented, and bad for democracy.”
Photo by: National Archives and Records Administration