First appeared on FOX: Former Vice President Mike Pence reacted to former President Donald Trump’s conviction in a New York City courtroom on Friday, saying it sent a “terrible message.”
“The conviction of former President Trump on a politically motivated crime is an outrage and a disservice to our nation,” Pence told Fox News Digital.
“While no one is above the law, our courts should not be used as tools against political opponents,” Pence continued. “For millions of Americans, this is nothing more than a political prosecution by a Manhattan district attorney who ran for office promising to prosecute a former president, and this conviction undermines faith in our justice system.”
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“This conviction sends a chilling message to the world about our justice system and will only further divide us at a time when Americans are suffering from the Biden Administration’s failed policies at home and abroad,” he added.
Pence continued, “Any former president convicted in a court of law has the right to appeal that conviction, and I believe that on appeal, the conviction can be overturned and the public’s faith in our justice system and equal treatment under the law can be restored.”
President Trump was found guilty on all charges in an historic and unprecedented criminal trial on Thursday, becoming the first former president to be convicted of a crime in the United States.
The former president spoke to reporters in a hallway outside the courtroom shortly after the jury delivered its verdict.
“This is a disgrace. This is a rigged trial, a rigged trial, a disgrace. A change of venue was not granted,” Trump said. “This district, this area, has a 5-6% approval rating. This was a rigged trial, a disgrace.”
“The real verdict will be given by the American people on November 5th,” Trump said.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Iowa Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Dinner, Friday, July 28, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. (Rachel Mumy/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Pence joins a long list of Republican senators who have defended Trump against conviction and has previously spoken out against the charges against Trump.
“The indictment of a former president of the United States on campaign finance charges is unprecedented and outrageous,” Pence said. He told CNN March 2023. “And to millions of Americans, this appears to be nothing more than a political prosecution.”
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Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower on Thursday, May 30, 2024, after being convicted of 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. (Felipe Ramares for Fox News Digital)
Pence’s relationship with Trump has deteriorated since the president criticized him for refusing to send disputed electoral college rolls back to state legislatures during the January 6 riot, and he said in March he would not support the former president.
“It should come as no surprise to you that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year,” Pence told Fox News at the time.
“I am very proud of the record of my administration, which has been a conservative record that has made America more prosperous, more secure and a more peaceful world, resulting in conservative appointments to the courts.”
Fox News Digital’s Charles Kreitz and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
