MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WOOD) – As a New York jury made former President Donald Trump the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony, one of Michigan‘s highest-ranking Republicans pivoted to criticize President Joe’s policies Biden.
Trump was found guilty Thursday of all 34 criminal charges against him, and a jury agreed with prosecutors that he falsified business records when he paid hush money to a pornography actress.
Jury finds Trump guilty; first US president convicted of serious crimes
“Unfortunately, it looks like this Manhattan verdict was already settled,” Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, told News 8 on Mackinac Island.
He was on the island with other legislators and political hopefuls for the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference.
“But this does not negate the fact that (President Joe) Biden is still a weak leader,” he continued, citing wars in other parts of the world, immigration policies and inflation and saying things were better when Trump was president.
He indicated that the verdict did not change his views on Trump’s candidacy, again pointing to Biden’s record.
“There is a reason why Biden is as unpopular as he is. It is because of his failures around the world and his failures in managing the American economy,” Nesbitt said.
He called the prosecutor who brought the case against Trump “rogue” and argued that the charges should never have been filed.
“You get a presidential candidate or nominee out of the way for so long, I think they’re just trying to do everything they can to strengthen Biden’s failed policies and Biden’s failed poll numbers,” Nesbitt said.
Nesbitt said he thought the case would energize the Republican base.
State Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, said she was “pleased” with the verdict, but added that it was unlikely to change anyone’s political views.
“It seems like the justice system has prevailed,” Rogers said. “It brings some finality to the situation. “I’m not sure this will change many hearts and minds, but I appreciate that the deliberation was thorough, that democracy was defended, and that we will take it one day at a time.”
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Sandy Pensler, who is seeking to be the Republican nominee to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, told News 8 that he called it a “sad day for America.”
“Forget what party you are in. This is a sad day for America. It will increase the chasms between people,” she stated.
He said his view was that Trump was not guilty and called the accusation “outrageous.”
“This will strengthen, rather than weaken, his candidacy. But for a former president of the United States to be convicted of a serious crime? Sad day for America,” Pensler said.
Trump is expected to appeal.
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