The big news on Thursday was the verdict coming down in the Trump hush-money case.
I doubt anyone was surprised by the guilty verdict in a New York courtroom, but Johnson is on the same page as we are in thinking that Trump will win upon appeal.
Talking Points…
- Verdict is in
- Trump's appeal and Johnson's comments
- Analysis
While I initially thought it was a no-brainer that Trump would be found guilty by a New York jury, reports had me starting to believe that he could wind up with a hung jury. For Trump, that would have been just as good as an acquittal. Judge Merchan seemed to take that out of the picture; however, after giving the jury instructions that basically told them if they found Trump guilty on charge, he would be guilty of them all.
So, when the jury returned a guilty verdict on all 34 counts, it was not really a surprise. Trump even seemed to hint that he knew it was coming. After having been relatively upbeat for most of the trial, Trump was very downtrodden after jury instructions were given, even stating that “Mother Theresa could not beat these charges.”
After the verdict, Trump surrogates rushed to his defense, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
After the verdict was announced, Trump stated that his camp would immediately file for an appeal. With sentencing now scheduled just before the Republican National Convention, it was time to start doing some damage control, especially because the Biden campaign and Democrats were already hitting Trump with the “convicted felon” tag, which was key for them in this case.
Speaker Johnson was among those who rallied to defend Trump, stating:
“Today is a shameful day in American history. The American people rightfully see this is lawfare, and they know it is — and dangerous. President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict — and he WILL WIN.
“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.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who has filed several frivolous lawsuits to defend Trump in her quest to become his VP, also stood up for Trump after the verdict, stating:
“Today’s verdict shows how corrupt, rigged, and unAmerican the weaponized justice system has become under Joe Biden and Democrats.
“We must work around the clock to ensure President Trump is victorious this November to save America from Biden’s failed Far Left Democrat agenda and the illegal weaponization of the justice system against the American people.”
If there was ever a case that is ripe for being overturned on appeal, this is it. Legal experts were beside themselves over the jury instructions as well as the leeway Judge Merchan gave the prosecution in its closing arguments while clamping down on Trump’s defense team.
There were clearly issues in this case, and I just cannot imagine an appeals panel doing anything other than reversing the decision. Again, I believe this will not be the case that lands Trump behind bars, and it may have actually backfired on Democrats, as Trump’s support soared overnight.
