Sad day in American politics: MA politicians react to Trump conviction

SALEM, MA — Members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation rushed to support the legal process that led to the conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony fraud charges in a New York courtroom Thursday, as Trump he vehemently maintained his innocence.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) called the convictions “a sad day for American politics,” while adding in a statement “it was only a matter of time before his actions led him to face our justice system.”

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A New York jury deliberated for two days this week before returning guilty verdicts on all 34 counts in the hush money trial.

Sentencing is set for July 11.

(Also on Patch: Trump found guilty by jury on all 34 counts in Hush Money trial)

“In America, no person is above the law – regardless of wealth, fame or position. This value is the foundation of our democracy,” U.S. Rep. and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) said in her statement. “Today, the rule of law has been maintained. A jury of Donald Trump’s colleagues weighed the facts and found him guilty of 34 felonies.

“Trump has 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.”

Trump lashed out after the verdict at what he called “a fraudulent trial by an embattled judge who was corrupt” and said “the real verdict will be on November 5th by the people here and they know what happened here and everybody knows what it happened here.”

Trump blamed the Biden Administration for being behind the allegations, which he said were orchestrated to “hurt a political opponent.”

Moulton also noted the upcoming presidential election — with Biden and Trump as their party’s likely nominees — in his sentencing statement.

“Also, now is not the time to rejoice,” he said. “We are in uncharted waters now that a convicted felon is still one of the leaders of the presidency.”

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Boston) said the unanimous verdict “is an important step toward accountability … Accountability is welcome and long overdue.”

U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-Worcester) and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Lowell) also noted the guilty verdicts on their respective social media feeds.