NEW YORK (WABC) — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Jurors convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours.
LIVE UPDATES FROM THE TRUMP TRIAL
Information from Eyewitness News, ABC News and the Associated Press
Friday, May 31
Biden responds to Trump verdict
President Joe Biden reacted publicly for the first time on Friday to the Trump verdict.
«The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed,» Biden said in remarks from the White House. «Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself.»
He said Trump has the opportunity to appeal just like any other American, criticizing those calling the trial and the system «rigged.»
«That’s how the American system of justice works,» Biden said. «It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years and it literally is the cornerstone of America our justice system justice and should be respected and we should never allow anyone to tear it down.»
He offered no comment when asked whether the conviction would have an impact on the election.
Bragg, Colangelo asked to appear before Congress
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has sent letters to Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo requesting them to appear for a Congressional hearing on June 13, 2024 to testify over the Trump hush money case.
