The historic guilty verdict delivered on Thursday in New York’s Trump hush-money trial continues to dominate discussions across the United States, with the country deeply divided over the outcome. This trial, marking the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president, concluded with jurors convicting Donald Trump on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled the sentencing for July 11, making May 30 a significant date in American history due to Trump’s conviction.
Appealing the decision
Donald Trump, the former President and likely Republican candidate, announced his intention to appeal immediately following the verdict. In New York state, the appeal process for a convicted defendant can extend for a year or longer. Trump’s attorneys might seek to prolong this timeline even further. According to New York law, an appeal can only proceed after sentencing, and Trump will have 30 days post-sentencing to file a notice of appeal. Following the filing, his legal team typically has six months to fulfill procedural obligations, such as submitting their appellate arguments and other necessary documents like trial transcripts.
Other legal cases
The New York hush-money case is just one of four cases involving Trump across different states. On a brighter note for him, the trials for the remaining three cases are unlikely to commence before the November general election, allowing Trump to concentrate on his presidential campaign without interruptions. Additionally, following the guilty verdict, there was a surge in donations, causing his campaign website to temporarily crash. Trump’s campaign officials reported that he raised over $50 million within 24 hours of the conviction.
Support from prominent Republican figures
Many Republican leaders, including lawmakers, senators, and governors, have rallied behind Trump, criticizing the Biden administration for allegedly using the Department of Justice to target political opponents. In response, a group of senators are now planning measures to retaliate against the federal leadership.
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Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), head of the Senate Steering Committee, along with other conservative senators, has announced opposition to any increases in non-security funding. This comes after a New York jury found former President Trump guilty on multiple felony charges.
The details
Lee, alongside potential vice-presidential candidates Senators JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and several other Senate Republicans, have vowed to fight back against what they claim is the misuse of the Justice Department by the Biden administration. They have agreed not to approve any of Biden’s political or judicial nominees and to block quick passage of Democratic legislation unrelated to public safety on the Senate floor
What are they saying
“The White House has made a mockery of the rule of law and fundamentally altered our politics in un-American ways. As a Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart,” the senators said in a joint statement.
Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) also signed the letter.
“Strongly worded statements are not enough. Those who turned our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable. We are no longer cooperating with any Democrat legislative priorities or nominations, and we invite all concerned Senators to join our stand,” Lee posted on the social platform X along with a copy of the letter.
Read also: Trump’s support among likely voters plummets after media revealed ‘Laws for Cash’ scandal in Florida
Key points
The senators additionally said that they will not:
- allow any increase to non-security related funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare;
- vote to confirm this administration’s political and judicial appointees;
- allow expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.”
