Missouri Republicans show support for Trump online following guilty verdict in New York
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Former President Donald Trump was found guilty by a New York jury on Thursday of falsifying business records.
With the decision, Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony. A sentencing will occur in July.
A number of Missouri politicians expressed their opinions after Trump was found guilty of 34 counts. Missouri Republicans overwhelmingly showed support for the former president online.
Sen. Eric Schmitt called the trial a “Soviet-style trial with predictable results,” in his criticism of the results in a post on X.
Soviet-style show trials have predictable results.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) May 30, 2024
What happened in New York today is no different.
The American people will reject this unprecedented lawfare in November.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft referred to the verdict on X as a “dark day in America” before criticizing President Joe Biden.
A dark day in America. Joe Biden has weaponized the justice system to go after one of the greatest Presidents in our history. The democrats are trying to steal another election. This lawfare must not stand. This won't @realDonaldTrump from winning. APPEAL! #FreeTrump
— Jay Ashcroft (@JayAshcroftMO) May 30, 2024
Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Sen. Josh Hawley shared similar sentiments
An illicit, witch-hunt prosecution against President Trump has resulted in an illegal conviction.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) May 30, 2024
On the Democratic side, State Rep. Doug Mann (D-Columbia) wrote that "it is good to see the judicial system work and see powerful people held accountable for their misdeed."
Donald Trump is now the first American President to be convicted of a felony. Will this affect the campaign? Likely not, but it is good to see the judicial system work and see powerful people held accountable for their misdeeds pic.twitter.com/1MWznp8WvA
— Doug Mann (@MannForMo50) May 30, 2024
State Representative David Tyson Smith criticized Trump's handling of the verdict, writing "it is probably not a good idea to publicly call a judge 'corrupt' about a month before he is going to sentence you."
It is probably not a good idea to publicly call a judge “corrupt” about a month before he is going to sentence you.
— David Tyson Smith (@dts4mo) May 31, 2024
Former Secretary of State Jason Kander, who served from 2013 to 2017 said Thursday's verdict is "what makes America great."
12 Americans sitting in thoughtful judgment of another American as he receives due process of law is what makes America great.
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) May 31, 2024