Quick Takes

Kentucky Republicans stand by Trump, blame Democrats for former president’s convictions

By: - May 30, 2024 7:14 pm

Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, right congratulated Rep. Mike Johnson, on his election as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Oct. 25, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Republicans in Kentucky’s congressional delegation have denounced the guilty verdicts against former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, while the lone Democrat said the New York jury has shown that in this country “no one’s above the law.”

The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) posted a statement Thursday night blaming the Biden administration for Trump’s prosecution and conviction and saying that the “overwhelming majority of Kentuckians firmly stand with President Trump.”

The RPK accused the Biden administration of strategically placing the case in “one of the most liberal legal venues in the country,” even though Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan and the case against him was prosecuted by Alvin Bragg, Manhattan’s elected district attorney.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell

Shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, McConnell’s account on X posted: “These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.”

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on X

“How long can our Republic survive once partisans have taken over the judicial process? This verdict will tragically undermine Americans’ confidence in impartial justice. A sad day for America…”

U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-1st District

“Today is a sad day for all Americans. This verdict in New York is another example of Democrats being relentless in their pursuit to weaponize the courts, abuse America’s judicial system, and target President Joe Biden’s political opposition. One thing is clear: Democrats are afraid to face Donald Trump. Americans will make their voices heard this November.”

U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-2nd District

“This was a baseless trial brought by a partisan hack prosecutor solely to stop President Trump from regaining the White House. This kangaroo court is an insult to the American justice system and to the very foundation of our constitutional democracy. This is an outlandish abuse of our criminal justice system.”

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-3rd District

“A New York jury has spoken: Donald Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a felony (34 to be exact). In America, no one’s above the law. Donald Trump is now a convicted felon. He is also the presumptive Republican nominee for president and he is unfit to serve in any public office, especially President of the United States.”

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-4th District

“Guilty on 34 counts, but no underlying crime. Partisan hacks serving as judges, investigators, and prosecutors have turned our legal system into a farce at both the state and federal level.”

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-5th District, on X

“Trump’s trial was an outrage & deeply unfair. It’s a political travesty & will be reversed on appeal. It is a weaponization of the courts for political gain. Biden forces claim victory, but it will backfire & elect Trump. They claim they won this battle, but we will win the war.”

Rep. Andy Barr, R-6th District

“A corrupt New York district attorney pursued this conviction through a sham trial of President Trump, marked by outrageous and unconstitutional tactics. It won’t stop me and millions of Americans from acquitting the President of these politically motivated charges and sending him back to the White House in November.
“After four years of record high inflation, open borders, and foreign policy disasters, Joe Biden has another five months before he will be sentenced to permanent retirement by the American people.”

 

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