Democrats celebrate Trump’s guilty verdict while Biden considers remaining threat.
Congressional Democrats erupted in celebration Thursday following a landmark New York jury decision that found former President Trump guilty of falsifying business records.
“In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law,” declared Biden campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler in a post-verdict statement.
According to Tyler, “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.”
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign swiftly joined in the chorus of Democratic voices celebrating the Trump guilty verdict.
Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels – marking the first conviction of a U.S. president for a crime.
“Boom,” exclaimed Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., in a brief post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Guilty. Today, 12 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,” stated Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who is pursuing a Senate seat.
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., condemned Trump’s deceptive tactics, remarking, “Trump made deception a cornerstone of his campaign for the White House.”
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., emphasized the significance of the Republican nominee being a convicted criminal, predicting more convictions to follow and a halt to any future presidency for Trump.
Top Biden ally Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, declaring, “The jury has spoken. Justice has prevailed.”
While the president’s campaign welcomed the verdict, Biden White House counsel spokesperson Ian Sams maintained a reserved stance, saying, “We respect the rule of law and have no additional comment.”
Some moderate Democratic lawmakers offered more tempered responses compared to their colleagues.
“Every American deserves their day in court. Former President Trump got his,” noted Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat representing the battleground state of Arizona, described the conviction as “a sad day for our nation” and stressed the importance of respecting the independence and integrity of the justice system.
While numerous Democrats voiced their opinions on the trial outcome, the majority of Democratic leadership in Congress remained noticeably silent.
