The race for the White House has taken on a different shape as Washington enters a new political era following former President Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying documents.
In a freewheeling press conference from Trump Tower, the former president railed against what he described as a politically charged conviction based on a never-before tested legal theory.
Trump went scorched-earth against Judge Juan Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, claiming the case brought against him was purely political because he leads President Biden in the polls.
“They’re winning in the courts because they can’t win at the ballot box. So, we’re going to fight. It’s something where I’m wired in such a way that a lot of people would have gone away a long time ago.”
Biden responded, scolding Trump for calling the trial “rigged.”
“It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict. Our justice system should be respected and we should never allow anyone to tear it down, it’s as simple as that.”
The conviction has so far been a cash windfall for Republicans.
Trump raised an astonishing $35 million in the hours after his conviction. His donations website crashed from the volume of internet traffic. The House and Senate GOP campaign arms also saw record-breaking donations.
And Trump’s allies are in a retaliatory mood on Capitol Hill.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wants to haul Bragg before his committee to testify.
Eight Senate conservatives — protesting what they’re calling “partisan lawfare” — say they’ll oppose non-security funding for the Justice Department and won’t vote to confirm Biden’s political or judicial appointees.
Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the conservative-dominated Supreme Court “should step in.”
Trump even got backing from some of his Republican foes.
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who has had a long-standing feud with Trump, said the charges should “never have been brought.” He predicted the conviction would be overturned on appeal.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a frequent Trump critic, swiped at Bragg for “campaign[ing] on a promise to prosecute Donald Trump.”
“The political underpinnings of this case further blur the lines between the judicial system and the electoral system,” Collins said in a statement.
It’s unclear how the unprecedented conviction might influence voters’ views, with polling from before the verdict mixed, with most saying it wouldn’t matter to them one way or the other.
GOP strategist Justin Sayfie argued to The Hill’s Julia Manchester the verdict would rally Republicans in the same way Democrats rallied in 2022 after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, saying the GOP is “rip-roaring upset.”
But Democrats see enormous upside in running against a convicted felon.
In a fundraising email sent out after the verdict, Biden’s campaign slapped Trump with the “convicted felon” moniker while urging voters not to become complacent.
“Despite a jury finding Donald Trump guilty today, 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 Biden campaign is also fundraising off Trump “questioning our judicial system.“
Some Democrats reacted with glee, viewing the conviction as the culmination of a years-long battle to hold Trump accountable.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) took to X to declare “Hallelujah!” and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) went on the platform to exclaim “Yes!
Other Democrats, such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), were more solemn.
“This moment is a somber one for America. Trial by a jury of peers is a fundamental principle of democracy, which must be respected.”
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