Florida elected officials and politicians react to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict

A guilty verdict in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York could prove consequential in the election. That has many Florida elected officials loudly proclaiming the decision as an injustice, a sign of unequal treatment of Trump, and/or election interference. Meanwhile, critics of the former President see the decision as proof no one is above the law.

Trump, who lives now full-time in Mar-a-Lago, issued a lengthy statement, reading in part: “This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. It’s a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change. We were at 5% or 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial.  The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people. And they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here. You have a Soros-backed DA, and the whole thing, we didn’t do a thing wrong.”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Miami Republican and running mate contender, posted: “The verdict in New York is a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice. A political show trial conducted by an openly pro-Biden judge whose daughter makes money off the case, a jury from the most liberal county in America, absurd and ridiculous charges and outrageous jury instructions that guaranteed guilty verdicts. Biden and the Trump deranged left will stop at nothing to remain in power.”

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Naples Republican, posted: “This was a sham trial and the clearest example we’ve ever seen of election interference. I am furious and no American is safe from Democrat political persecution.  Joe Biden and the Democrat machine manufactured a legal case against Trump to win an election. I went to New York to stand with President Trump and the American voters will stand with him this November.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, posted: “Today’s verdict represents the culmination of a legal process that has been bent to the political will of the actors involved: a leftist prosecutor, a partisan judge and a jury reflective of one of the most liberal enclaves in America—all in an effort to ‘get’ Donald Trump. That this case—involving alleged misdemeanor business records violations from nearly a decade ago—was even brought is a testament to the political debasement of the justice system in places like New York City. This is especially true considering this same district attorney routinely excuses criminal conduct in a way that has endangered law-abiding citizens in his jurisdiction. It is often said that no one is above the law, but it is also true that no one is below the law. If the defendant were not Donald Trump, this case would never have been brought, the judge would have never issued similar rulings, and the jury would have never returned a guilty verdict. In America, the rule of law should be applied in a dispassionate, even-handed manner, not become captive to the political agenda of some kangaroo court.”

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, posted: “The unprecedented and retaliatory verdict out of New York today was a travesty of justice, plain and simple. This was not a declaration of guilt or indicative of the evidence or the case presented. This was an attempt to derail the election of President Trump in November, and it will not work! We will fight this, and President Trump will have the ultimate verdict in November!

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, posted: Truly shameful.”

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, posted: “It goes without saying that our justice system must never be weaponized to target a political opponent. Yet, that is precisely what has happened to Donald Trump. I firmly believe the American people will not be deceived by this sham trial and will overwhelmingly vote to re-elect Donald Trump in November.”

U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, released a lengthy statement saying in part: “The case against former President Trump is an obvious and blatant travesty of justice and a political witch hunt. Over the past six weeks, the American people have seen firsthand how far President Biden, and the Democratic Party, will go to interfere in our election system. The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, knew this case lacked merit, but decided to charge President Trump even though his predecessor and the Federal Elections Commission found zero illegality with the President’s conduct. Shamefully, Bragg created a felony case out of thin air to make a name for himself and try to derail President Trump’s reelection.”

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican and running mate contender, posted: “What happened in NY is disaster verdict by a crooked judge and a crooked prosecution. Donald Trump is innocent. To hell with what the jury said.  America, this is what a political prosecution looks like. Remember in November!”

U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, a Panama City Republican, posted: “The trial of former President Trump was a politically motivated charade from start to finish. Democrats and their allies have made an absolute mockery of our system of justice. Shameful and a disgrace.”

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat, posted: “Putting politics aside, this is a somber verdict that speaks to the fact that, for our democracy to work, no person should be above the law.”

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, posted: “It’s a dark and stunning day in America. When a former {resident is convicted of illegitimate charges in a sham trial based on the testimony of a hooker and a felon, everyone should be terrified. They can and will come for you, too, unless we retake our country on Nov. 5.”

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, posted: “This verdict is the corrupt result of a corrupt trial, a corrupt judge, and a corrupt DA. We will stand with President Trump now more than ever to save the country.”

U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, a Miami-Dade Republican, posted: “This political show trial is a page taken straight out of Ncaragua’s socialist dictator Daniel Ortega’s playbook. Ortega jailed his political opponents to guarantee his re-election and now Biden has weaponized the justice system against the Republican presidential nominee.

U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, a Thonotosassa Republican, released a statement: ““oday’s verdict was the result of a political witch hunt supported by the very people who are supposed to hold our judicial system to the highest standard.  Politically weaponizing our judicial system is not only intolerable, but should be condemned. A jury verdict is only as good as the information that was given to the jurors, and as a former judge and prosecutor, I believe the judge in this case wrongfully denied the defendant’s motions to provide important evidence the jurors never heard that would have exonerated President Trump. I believe in the judicial system and the appellate process. This fight is not over.”

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a St. Petersburg Republican, with a fundraising link posted: “This sham trial just secured Trumps 2024 re-election. His polling is through the roof.”

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Stuart Republican, posted: “America’s Judicial System. Killed In Action. May 30, 2024.”

U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a New Smyrna Beach Republican, posted: “Today’s verdict is not about justice or ensuring no one is above the law. Today is further proof of how the scales of justice have been thrown out, and how weaponization of the justice system can be used for political persecution. This case should have never been taken up in the first place, as it was outside of the statute of limitations. Furthermore, the prosecution did not prove without a shadow of doubt that a crime had been committed. If this was anyone else besides President Trump, it would have been tossed out. It is a sad day in America when a nation, based upon our Constitution and the rule of law, is permitted to be used for election interference and political targeting by Joe Biden’s corrupt administration.”

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, posted: “A former president being convicted is nothing to be celebrated, but it is an affirmation that nobody is above the law. This verdict was reached by a jury of Trump’s peers, by citizens of the American justice system, not by a judge or by a political opponent.”

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a Jacksonville Republican, released a statement: “Americans see what happened in New York City for what it is: election interference through a weaponized and corrupted legal system. That’s why Judge Juan Merchan was not concerned about the cornucopia of reversible errors he committed during this sham trial. These convictions are the result of failed due process, which after appeal I believe will be overturned and expunged. Donald Trump will be cleared of these convictions in the end, and justice will prevail. Donald Trump will be President in 2025!”

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, posted: “Former President Trump had his day in court and finally faced justice. This case proves once again that no one is above the law in our country. We must respect the jury’s decision and let the appeals process play out.”

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, posted: “A disgrace to our judicial system and constitutional protections of equal justice for all. Americans see right through the Democrats’ scheme. This is nothing but election interference. President Trump will get justice on appeal.”

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a St. Augustine Beach Republican and running mate contender, posted: “The genie is out of the bottle. This trial was always about taking President Trump off the ballot because Biden has nothing else to run on. Democrats tried to remove Trump off the ballot in Maine & Colorado. They unleashed a politicized justice system against him. This judge, jurisdiction, and jury instructions preordained President’s Trump’s legal fate. Americans see right through this and will continue to fight to elect him back to the White House!”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat, posted: “A jury of Trump’s peers were clear: not even ex-presidents are above the law. This conviction comes against a man who used fraud to try to influence, then overturn a fair election, so it comes as no surprise. But it proves even the powerful must be held to account.”

U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, a Clermont Republican, released a statement: “Shame on DA Bragg, Judge Merchan and the entire NY prosecution team for going through with this witch-hunt! It should have been thrown out before it even started! Criminals are wreaking havoc in New York City streets, while instead of bringing them to justice and protecting citizens of New York, the DA is engaged in election interference. I intend to hold these individuals accountable for keeping President Donald Trump in court for weeks, under a gag order and unable to speak to the American people across the country.”

Biden-Harris 2024 Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler, released a statement reading in part: “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law. Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. 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.”

Trump campaign Florida Director Brian Hughes: “This case and the Biden Trial itself has always been a rigged political operation designed to interfere in the election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden’s campaign. Tried in the media capital of the world by elected Democrats, with a Democrat judge and an overwhelming Democrat jury pool, this case was and remains a SHAM and a HOAX.President Trump will appeal the rigged verdict quickly and anticipate an immediate stay of any penalties or sanctions of the sentence pending the outcome of President Trump’s appeal.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, posted: “So many Americans will remember today, the day partisan prosecutors hijacked our criminal justice system to go after a political opponent, shaking the foundation of this country—built upon the rule of law applied evenly, fairly and blindly to all. There is a reason for appellate review and the errors in this trial are just as blatant as the reasons the charges were brought.”

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican, posted: “Banana republic. To orchestrate charges in an election year for something years earlier just to try and take out a political opponent – this is what people have been fleeing in 3rd World countries for decades. Embarrassing. Low point in American history. Sad day. Trump should be granted clemency immediately. This is outrageous.”

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a Republican, posted: “This disgrace isn’t justice. It’s election interference. Looking forward to the real verdict on November 5th.”

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican, released a statement: “I have faith in our democracy, and the voters will have a say this November. I believe they will stand with President Trump.”

State Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, released a statement: “As Trump’s previous Florida chairman, I am appalled at today’s so-called verdict. It’s a travesty that history will reaffirm. Trump ‘24!”

State Sen. Jonathan Martin, a Fort Myers Republican, posted: “As an attorney and former prosecutor who has taken the oath multiple times to uphold the US Constitution, I am beyond angry that our system of justice has been perverted, abused, and weaponized to attack a political opponent. As a State Senator, I will support any legislation that holds the state of New York accountable for their attempts to eliminate the vote of millions of Floridians for the Presidential candidate of their choice. I will support a special session to do so.”

State Sen. Tina Polsky, a Boca Raton Democrat, posted: “It’s not just that he’s Convicted Felon Donald Trump. As if that’s not enough.”

State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat, posted: “It’s an unprecedented moment in our history. The former President and presumptive Republican nominee is now a convicted felon, guilty of all 34 charges. It is time for Americans to come together to reject corruption, regardless of political party.”

State House Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican, posted: “From the outset, this case has been a verdict in search of a crime. Our justice system isn’t perfect, but when we allow it to be weaponized for political purposes, we undermine our nation’s integrity. This election should be decided by the people of the United States not by a handful of Manhattanites.”

State Rep. Tom Leek, an Ormond Beach Republicans and state Senate candidate, released a statement: “This case should never have been brought before the courts and it is a travesty of justice, as well as a cautionary tale, that our judiciary system may be weaponized against a political ideology. This will not stop our commitment to elect Donald J. Trump as our President and I look forward to casting my vote for him at the RNC convention as our nominee.”

Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power released a statement: “From a corrupt District Attorney to a rigged judge making a mockery of our judicial system, President Trump’s guilty verdict comes as no surprise. Trump Derangement Syndrome was alive and well in that New York courtroom, but here in the real world, Donald Trump’s support only grows stronger.  This political witch hunt does nothing more than make fools out of the Democrats. They can’t win with a failing, senile old man on the ballot, so they must resort to election interference. Americans see right through it!”

Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevun Roberts released a lengthy statement reading in part: “This verdict is a travesty to our republic. This was a bogus prosecution engineered by President Biden and his weaponized DOJ that has made the New York justice system look like that of a third-world country where government officials engage in partisan prosecutions against their political opponents. The chief witness was a convicted perjurer who admitted to hating and stealing from his former client.  Neither the Federal Election Commission nor the U.S. Department of Justice initiated any enforcement proceedings against Trump for the simple reason that the settlement payment that was at issue in the case was not a campaign-related expense under federal law. ”

The Lincoln Project released a statement: “With today’s ruling, Trump is a convicted criminal who’s running for President to roll back individual rights and wreck our democracy. Sadly, Trump can’t be shamed into doing the right thing by stepping away from the nomination, while his MAGA sycophants care so little for the rule of law that they will join him in his quest for power no matter what laws he breaks or norms he destroys. The Lincoln Project always maintained that no matter the outcome of the trial, Trump is a danger to democracy and must be defeated at the ballot box. Now, Americans need to ask themselves, do they really think that if this dangerous criminal is elected, he will defend the nation and protect their interests?”

Whitney Fox, a Democrat running for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, also commented, blasting the Republican incumbent she hopes to unseat: “The resolution’s failure is symbolic of Anna Paulina Luna’s failure as a Rep. and her record of putting performative politics over people. Luna is too extreme, even for her own party, let alone Pinellas. She is wasting our community and nation’s time when we should focus on issues like lowering costs, insurance and restoring reproductive rights.”