SPOKANE, Wash. — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday afternoon in his hush money trial case.
Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts he faced by a New York jury on Thursday after 9.5 hours of jury deliberations over two days.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels.
Trump called the trial a "rigged, disgraceful trial," adding "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people."
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Thursday, July 11.
You can find reactions from Washington state lawmakers and representatives on the trial below:
- Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson
- "Laws matter in this country. Dave Reichert's candidate for president just got convicted of 34 felonies. I'm running for Governor to uphold the law. America must not elect a convicted felon for president."
- Senator Patty Murray
- "I hope Republicans stand up and say, this is what we need to do moving forward is to make sure that we have a president that is not going to take us into chaos, that is going to protect our right to have our own health care system, that's going to defend our democracy and who's not a convicted criminal."
- Washington gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird
- "The endless attacks against President Trump, both civil and criminal, have been targeted and specific to one purpose and one purpose only. To remove him from the presidential race. In Washington State, we're seeing the same type of Saul Alinsy election interference attacks against our campaign. It's time to ensure the rule of law, election integrity, and return power to the people, not the wealthy political elites."
- Washington Congressional Candidate Tiffany Smiley:
- "This trial against President Trump has always been politically motivated, and the American people have been clear - it's not going to change their support. Hardworking families across our country have watched the events unfold in New York and they know that if our judicial system can be weaponized against a former President today, then who's to say it won't be used against them tomorrow? This trial sets a bad precedent, and risks undermining the integrity of our judicial system. I do not believe this verdict disqualifies President Trump from serving another term in office, and polls show that it is actually bolstering his support. I, too, will continue to support his campaign and look forward to voting for him in the upcoming election."
- Washington Congressional candidate Michael Baumgartner
- "Today’s conviction of a former President by a state court on flimsy charges in a hyper partisan setting sets a bad precedent that is likely to haunt both political parties in the years to come. It’s a bad day for the rule of law, brought on by leftists with a political agenda. Using courts of law as political weapons is banana republic stuff. Perhaps the most absurd thing about this case is that the same left wing DA who decided to prosecute what is essentially a nearly decades only business records case, routinely ignores prosecutions of violent crime that actually impact public safety. The hyper-partisan manner in which this case was brought will unfortunately only further divide the country."
- Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington state Democratic Party
- “Today’s verdict out of New York affirms what the Washington State Democratic Party has been saying for more than eight years – Convicted Felon Donald Trump is wholly unfit to lead our nation. His conviction today by a jury of his peers demonstrates the lengths Convicted Felon Trump will go to and the laws he will break to get what he wants – another four years of power at the expense of hard-working Americans. The Washington State Democratic Party will never stop fighting for a more perfect union, which is why we will continue to resist Donald Trump’s campaign of lies, grift, and autocratic desires with every fiber of our being every minute of every day until the election is over and we have prevented the end of democracy…again.”
- Jim Walsh, Chair of the Washington state Republican Party
“This trial has been a circus from the start. The charges are dubious. The prosecutors have made their political biases evident for all to see. And the judge has undermined his own credibility in a flamboyant, cartoonish manner. It is very likely the conviction will be overturned on appeal. What a mess. What a waste of taxpayers’ money. The only good part of this whole sordid affair is that the people see through the clown show. And it will backfire."
Idaho lawmakers:
- Idaho Governor Brad Little
- "The American people will deliver the only verdict that matters in November. #TRUMP2024"
Editor's Note: As more comments come in, we will continue to update this story.
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