Donald Trump said this Friday (31) that he would appeal the guilty verdict that made him the first former president of the United States convicted of a crime. The Republican needs to wait until after his sentence is issued, on July 11, to officially take the measure.
In comments in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, where he announced his first presidential candidacy in 2015, Trump repeated complaints that the trial was a “rigged” attempt to prevent his bid to return to the White House and warned that it demonstrated that no American would be safe from politically motivated prosecution.
“If they can do it to me, they can do it to anyone,” Trump said.
Applauded by supporters, Trump, the Republican candidate in the 2024 elections, did not respond to reporters' questions.
“We will appeal this coup,” he added.
Trump will have 30 days from the date of his sentencing on July 11 to file a notice of appeal.
Democratic President Joe Biden, who will face Trump in the November 5 election, said the Republican had the opportunity to defend himself in the same justice system that applies to all Americans.
“It’s reckless, dangerous and irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden said at the White House.
The charge on which Trump was convicted, of falsifying business records, carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Others convicted of this crime often receive shorter sentences, fines or probation.
But Trump's public criticism of jurors and witnesses during the trial, which led Judge Juan Merchan to impose a $10,000 fine, could lead the judge to impose a harsher sentence, said Rebecca Roiphe, a former New York prosecutor.
Any sentence would likely be suspended until the appeals process is over. A close ally, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, predicted that the US Supreme Court would eventually overturn the verdict.
“I think they will clear this up, but it will take a while,” he told Fox News.
Incarceration would not prevent Trump from campaigning or taking office if he wins.
The former president's July 11 sentencing comes just days before the Republican Party formally nominates him as its presidential candidate at its convention in Milwaukee.
Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying documents to cover up a secret payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 election, which defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The Republican still faces three other criminal cases – two for his efforts to overturn Biden's 2020 defeat – but the New York verdict may be the only one handed down before the vote on November 5
The other cases are linked to legal disputes. Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four cases, which he says are politically motivated.
A source familiar with the inner workings of his campaign said the verdict is expected to prompt him to intensify deliberations over choosing a woman as his vice presidential running mate.
What voters think
National opinion polls show that Trump is in a tight race with Biden. One in four Republican respondents in an April Reuters/Ipsos poll said they would not vote if the former president was convicted of a crime.
Strategists from both parties questioned whether the verdict would have a significant impact on the race.
In pro-Trump internet groups, some supporters have called for riots, revolution and violent reprisals.
In the swing state of Georgia, retired Wendell Hill, 65, said the verdict would not make him abandon Trump.
“Everything is politicized. I still don’t understand what crime he allegedly committed,” she said.
Carol Cuba, 77, a longtime Republican voter, said she was disgusted by Trump.
“For the first time in my life I am thinking about voting for the dark side,” he said, referring to the Democrats.
Trump's campaign said it raised $35 million from small donors after the verdict, nearly double the previous daily record.
Several major Republican donors said they would continue to donate to Trump's campaign despite the conviction.
Stormy Daniels' Explicit Testimony
The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business documents after a trial that featured explicit testimony from adult film star Stormy Daniels about a sexual encounter she said she had with the former president in 2006.
At the time, the Republican was married to his current wife, Melania.
Trump denies having sex with Daniels.
Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified that the former president approved a payment of US$130,000 to the actress. Cohen, who personally handled the payment, testified that Trump approved a plan to repay him through monthly payments disguised as legal work.
Forgery of business documents is normally a misdemeanor in New York, but prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office upgraded the case to a felony, alleging that Trump was concealing an illegal campaign contribution.
If elected, the Republican could end the two federal cases accusing him of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat and improperly handling confidential documents after leaving office in 2021. The former president, however, would not have the power to prevent a separate case of electoral subversion taking place in Georgia.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
