NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Former President Donald Trump was found guilty Thursday on all 34 counts of falsifying business records at his company in connection with an alleged hush money scheme.
He is the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes after a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex, according to the Associated Press.
Several Texas federal, state and local representatives have reacted to the verdict, including Gov. Greg Abbott and more.
Sentencing in Trump's case will take place July 11.
Gov. Greg Abbott
"This was a sham show trial. The Kangaroo Court will never stand on appeal. Americans deserve better than a sitting U.S. President weaponizing our justice system against a political opponent— all to win an election. We must FIRE Joe Biden in November," Abbott said on Twitter.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
"This verdict is a disgrace, and this trial should have never happened. Now more than ever, we need to rally around @realdonaldtrump, take back the White House and Senate, and get this country back on track. The real verdict will be Election Day," Cornyn said on Twitter.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
"From the beginning of this sham trial, I stood by President Trump, and my support for him is stronger than ever. As Attorney General of Texas, I will unleash every tool at my disposal to fight this blatant corruption and political persecution spewing from New York and the Biden administration," Paxton said on Twitter.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas
"This is a dark day for America. This entire trial has been a sham, and it is nothing more than political persecution. The only reason they prosecuted Donald Trump is because Democrats are terrified that he will win reelection. This disgraceful decision is legally baseless and should be overturned promptly on appeal. Any judge with a modicum of integrity would recognize that this entire trial has been utterly fraudulent," Cruz said on Twitter.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Campaign
“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.
“The threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater. He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution, pledging to be a dictator ‘on day one’ and calling for our Constitution to be ‘terminated’ so he can regain and keep power. A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans’ freedoms and fomenting political violence – and the American people will reject it this November," the campaign said in a statement.
Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick
"Today's guilty verdict against President Trump is an absolute travesty of our judicial system. There was no crime, and the prosecution's star witness was a convicted liar and an admitted thief. The judge was biased against President Trump throughout the entire trial. This will be reversed at some point, but the Democrats got what they wanted - to prosecute and persecute a man they know they cannot beat in November. If the justice system can do this to a former president, it can do it to anyone in America. That should frighten every American. New York & Biden have turned our country into a third-world-styled justice system that goes after political opponents like you see in Russia or North Korea. It's a sad day for America."
Texas GOP
"Today’s kangaroo court verdict shows just how far Democrats will go to destroy those they simply disagree with. As Biden continues to weaponize the justice system against his political opponents we must draw a line in the sand. Everything they are doing to President Trump, they will do to you next. November 5th is our last chance to save America. Texas grassroots are united and excited to elect President Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. We need to restore our sovereignty, close the border, secure our elections, and bring back prosperity and freedom," the Texas GOP said on Twitter.
U.S. Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22)
“Today is one of the darkest days in the history of our country,” Nehls said in a statement. “I don’t know if our country can ever recover from the abuse of this government on President Donald Trump. I hope the American people will see through this and do the right thing for the future of our country, as we know Judge Merchan is compromised to the core. He’s scum."
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29)
"Nobody is above the law. Nadie está por encima de la ley," Garcia said.
U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35)
“Trump is a convicted felon, found guilty by a jury of his peers on all 34 counts. Though sentencing and appeal will follow, no one, including this wannabe ruler, is above the law. Now he pretends to be the victim in order to inspire more wrongdoing, and the GOP concocts excuses for their felon king. This is the second jury to rule against Trump—the last time was about rape," Doggett said.
U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30)
"Whew chile! Guilty on all counts in a state case! No matter what happens in November, he cannot “undo” this verdict. I know many are celebrating & I get it, but my heart (expletive) breaks for our country! How did we get here?! When did we stop requiring some darned decency of the most powerful person on Earth?! The grand jurors, the prosecutors, the judge, the witnesses & this jury deserve so much more than they will receive. This was a brave undertaking in an unnecessarily violent & politically charged America. FYI, today was a win for the rule of law," Crockett said.
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX-27)
"Pray for our country and for President Trump. I fear we’re witnessing the opening of a Pandora’s Box that will never be undone. Republican leaders — if ever a time to step up, it’s now," Cloud said.
U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1)
"Today in NY, we saw a politically motivated travesty of justice and a mockery of the American legal system. This verdict must not stand," Moran said.