Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as more New Hampshire folks react.
Former President Donald Trump was convicted Thursday in a Manhattan courtroom of all 34 felony charges, making him the nation’s first former president to become a convicted felon.
The New York Times reported that the felonies involved falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his campaign to become president in 2016. The newspaper said Trump will be sentenced July 11 and could face up to four years in prison.
Trump’s fundraiser immediately went into high gear after being convicted.
Calling himself a political prisoner in a campaign email, Trump said: “I was just convicted in a RIGGED TRIAL meant to interfere in our elections.”
“Your support is the only thing standing between us and tyranny!” the ad says.
Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler said:
“In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law…The threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater. He is running an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution, pledging to be a dictator ‘on day one’ and calling for our Constitution to be ‘terminated’ so he can regain and keep power. A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans’ freedoms and fomenting political violence – and the American people will reject it this November,” Tyler said.
In New Hampshire, reaction was trickling out via Twitter, now X, and news releases.
Congresswoman Annie Kuster, D-NH, said: “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.
“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,” Kuster said.
Republican Chuck Morse, former New Hampshire Senate President, says he is the sole New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate to have endorsed Donald Trump. He issued a strong statement condemning today’s trial verdict and the corruption of the justice system he perceives under President Joe Biden’s leadership.
“Today’s show trial starkly reveals the extent to which Joe Biden has corrupted our justice system, creating a blatant two-tiered standard,” Morse said. “This weaponization of justice to target a political opponent is an affront to American values and will only embolden President Trump’s supporters, rallying millions of voters to his side.”
Morse continued, “What happened in New York City today is a clear example of Biden’s manipulation of the system for electoral gain, and we must work tirelessly to expose this corruption and ensure Donald Trump is re-elected in November to restore integrity to our justice system.”
Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who is running for governor as a Democrat, said on Twitter: “@KellyAyotte calls herself the law & order candidate but she’s guilty of endorsing Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, for President. We need someone who has the backbone to stand up to the likes of Trump & Ayotte. I’ll be that Governor.”
There was no immediate public comment from Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who has said he will vote for Trump no matter what after previously supporting former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during the presidential primary.
Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, who is also running as a Democrat for governor said on Twitter: “No one is above the law, including Donald Trump. Today’s verdict proves once again that our justice system and democracy are stronger than one person.”