Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacts to Donald Trump guilty verdict in New York case
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacted Thursday to the guilty verdict against former president Donald Trump in his New York hush money trial.
"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," DeSantis said in a lengthy post on X, formerly Twitter.
A jury found Trump guilty Thursday on 34 counts related to alleged falsifying of business records related to his Trump Organization, including widely-reported payments to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels over an alleged affair. Trump has denied an affair ever took place.
PENSACOLA, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at the Pensacola International Airport on November 3, 2018 in Pensacola, Florida. President Trump is camp
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Here's a look at his entire statement:
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.
Following the verdict, Trump addressed reporters stationed at the courthouse.
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"This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial. This was a rigged disgraceful trial," he said before walking out of the courthouse.
On Friday, DeSantis issued another lengthy statement discussing Trump's voting rights in Florida amid the guilty verdict.
"Former President Donald Trump hasn't lost his voting rights in Florida. Rights are not removed in Florida where they haven't yet been stripped in the convicting jurisdiction," DeSantis said in a post on X.
"That said, given the absurd nature of the New York prosecution of Trump, this would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights per the Florida Clemency Board, which I chair."