For the first time in the history of the United States, a former president has been found guilty of crimes, with Donald Trump being convicted of all 34 felony counts at the culmination of his hush money trial in New York.
Members of New England's mostly Democratic congressional delegation are reacting to the guilty verdict of the presumptive Republican nominee in this year's presidential race.
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"This is an extraordinarily serious moment for American politics," Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, said in a statement. "Donald Trump, one of only forty-four others who have held the highest office in the land, has spent his entire career walking right up to, and over, the line of legality. It was only a matter of time before his actions led him to face our justice system."
"Twelve independent people, who had been signed off by, on both sides, listened to all the evidence, got together, and said 'guilty,'" Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, told NBC10 Boston Friday. "That is the judicial system working the way it should, whoever has been accused of a crime."
Democratic Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, shot down Trump's claim that the trial was "rigged."
"There is nothing rigged about this process," Neal said. "Our judicial system performed the way our founding fathers intended."
"Today marks a solemn and unprecedented moment in American history. A former President — and the leading Republican nominee for President — has been fairly tried by a jury of his peers and convicted on 34 felony counts," Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said in a statement. "This process, and the trials to come, has reaffirmed that no one is above the law. I am grateful for the fortitude and courage of the jurors who spent many long days fulfilling their civic duty. While our country is facing many challenges, now is a moment to have some faith in our democracy and this important exercise of the rule of law."
"In America, no person is above the law — regardless of wealth, fame, or position. That value underpins our democracy," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts. "Today, the rule of law was upheld. A jury of Donald Trump's peers evaluated the facts and judged him guilty of 34 felonies."
"I am very grateful to Judge Merchan and the members of the New York jury in The People of New York vs. Donald J. Trump, for unanimously upholding the rule of law in rendering 34 verdicts of guilty on all felony counts against former President Donald J. Trump, thereby sustaining the Constitutional precept that 'no man is above the law,'" Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Massachusetts, said in a statement.
"Despite the relentless efforts by the former occupant of the White House to undermine and delegitimize these fair and measured legal proceedings, today's unanimously guilty verdict is an important step toward accountability," added Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts. "Make no mistake, Donald J. Trump is not a man persecuted because of his politics — he has been defrauding people, exacting harm, and evading legal accountability for decades. From discriminating against Black tenants to defrauding small businesses, to bribery, hush money schemes, election interference, and insurrection, this man has broken the law to advance his own interests at the expense of other people and to the detriment of our democracy."
"It matters that the Republican nominee for President is a convicted criminal," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut. "The rule of law still matters."
"Trump made deception a cornerstone of his campaign for the White House. And now, he will go down in history as the president who has two impeachments and 34 felony convictions to his name — with more trials to come. The American people deserve so much better," Clark said.
"To be clear: whether or not you like this verdict, this is how our system is supposed to work," Moulton said. "This is how a healthy democracy is supposed to work. No one is above the law, not even a former president."
Moulton added that the verdict isn't something for Trump critics to revel in, but an important moment he hopes moves the country forward.
"This is also no time to gloat. We're in uncharted waters now that a convicted criminal is still a frontrunner for the presidency," he said. "For Democrats, the stakes could not be higher. We have so much work to do to build trust across all Americans. For my Republican colleagues – those that claim to be strong on law and order, family values, and patriotism – when will enough finally be enough? Patriotism is not pandering to a man who would just as well blow up the foundations of our democracy for personal gain. Americans deserve political parties that function for the people. Instead, today's Republican party serves at the pleasure of Donald Trump."
"Today is a somber day for our country. The American people expect and deserve our elected officials to lead and govern by example, and to conduct themselves in the highest manner befitting of their offices," said Rep. Annie Kuster, D-New Hampshire. "Ours is a nation of laws, and for our democracy to function as intended it is incumbent on all of us to respect the jury's verdict. No one, not even a former president, is above the law."
"Accountability is welcome and long overdue," Pressley said. "This man is undoubtedly unfit to serve in public office. The threat he poses to our nation and our democracy cannot be overstated."
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine — who voted to acquit Trump in his first impeachment trial; to convict him in his second after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and declined to endorse him for president this year — argued that he was unfairly targeted in a politically-motivated trial.
"It is fundamental to our American system of justice that the government prosecutes cases because of alleged criminal conduct regardless of who the defendant happens to be. In this case the opposite has happened," Collins said in a statement shared with the Portland Press Herald.
She reportedly went on to say that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against Trump "precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct."
The Portland Press Herald said statements from Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, and Pingree stood in contrast to Collins' words.
"Today in New York City an event took place that was historic: a former president found guilty on felony charges – an incredibly consequential decision after weeks of evidence and testimony," King said, according to the newspaper. "As we face a world of uncertainties and conflict, the infrastructure of our shared American identity remains sturdy so long as we are vigilant in remembering our founding principles, including equal justice under the law."
"In this case, former President Trump has had his day in court and has been found guilty by a jury of his peers," Golden reportedly said. "I respect the jury's decision."
Professor Tom Whalen, a presidential historian at Boston University, also shared his thoughts.
"It's completely stunning and it happened really quickly," Whalen said. "You have to believe there are some Republicans on that jury, and they put aside their partisanship to go with their consciences, and that's a good sign for our democracy."
Whalen said it's unlikely Trump will spend time behind bars. He sees fines or probation as the outcome at sentencing this summer.
"He's been able to get out of all sorts of scandals and problems, but it looks like the legal system has finally caught up with him," he said.
