NY Congress members, party leaders react to Donald Trump's conviction
Former President Donald Trump leaves the courthouse at Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday in New York. Credit: AP/Justin Lane
Rich Schaffer, Suffolk County Democratic chairman: “Today, justice was served. No one is above the law. Donald Trump is a convicted felon.”
Jesse Garcia, Suffolk County Republican chairman: “Today the liberal left has made it clear that they are desperate to manipulate this election by exploiting and weaponizing the criminal justice system to help their failed President Joe Biden … Democrats are going to immediately see that this courtroom charade will galvanize support at the polls this year.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “No one is above the law. The verdict speaks for itself.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R): “I think this is the biggest miscarriage of justice that I’ve witnessed in my life. As a lawyer I can’t see any basis for a conviction. I think that this was a conflicted judge with a biased district attorney … ”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY): “No one should be above the law. Like every criminal defendant, Mr. Trump had the opportunity to mount a vigorous defense and to be judged by a jury of his peers. I respect the jury’s verdict.”
Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-Island Park): “I have testified in court against countless convicts during my time as an NYPD Detective, and it is clear to me that Democrats are so afraid of engaging in a fair fight against President Trump that they continue to weaponize the justice system in an attempt to stop him.”
Democratic Rep. Daniel Goldman, of New York City: “Our tried and true democratic justice system is rooted in the Constitution and requires that an impartial jury of 12 citizens consider only the facts, evidence, and law in determining guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The same rules apply to Donald Trump. No one is above the law.”
Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville): “The best way to unwind Alvin Bragg’s political prosecution and [Thursday's] conviction is for Governor Hochul to immediately announce her intention to pardon President Trump and preemptively commute any sentence. To not do so is to allow America to become a banana republic.”
Compiled by Tom Brune, Vera Chinese and Scott Eidler
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Newsday Live: A chat with Joan Baez Join Newsday Entertainment Writer Rafer Guzmán and Long Island LitFest for an in-depth discussion with Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and social activist Joan Baez about her new autobiographical poetry book, "When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance."