NEW YORK, CMC – Caribbean-American legislators in New York have welcomed the conviction of former United States President Donald J. Trump for falsifying business records to conceal an illegal scheme to corrupt the 2016 Presidential election.
A jury of 12 “ordinary New Yorkers” Thursday afternoon found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts regarding the reimbursement of hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to conceal a sex scandal around the election.
Trump, 77, thus, became the first United States president to be convicted of a crime, and while he is likely to appeal his conviction, his sentencing is slated for July 11.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the “ verdict exemplifies the simple notion that no one is above the law.
“No matter who you are, what tax bracket you’re in, or even if you are a former president, there are consequences for breaking the law, and the American justice system will always strive to hold you accountable for your actions,” added the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.
“Donald Trump is now a convicted felon, found guilty on all 34 counts. The rule of law prevailed, and justice has been served.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said the guilty verdict is “a moment for justice, but not a celebration.”
“It is the first time that this man, who has had every privilege and no barriers in his life, is finally facing some accountability. I commend District Attorney (Alvin) Bragg for steadfastly and professionally pursuing that accountability in the face of vicious attacks.”
Williams said that in his role as Public Advocate, he has seen far too many wealthy and well-connected people circumvent justice while disenfranchised New Yorkers fall victim to injustice.
“Donald Trump is not a victim of anything but his character and wrongdoing, and his victims are innumerable across 91 felony charges and the country.
“There will be many who try to defend or excuse Trump – many of the same people notably silent about the five innocent Black teenagers he once condemned to death – but it is clear in this verdict, and in the decade of evidence we’ve all been witness to, that he is entirely unfit to represent anyone,” Williams said.
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair and New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn noted that “for the first time in the history of the United States, a president has been convicted of a crime, nonetheless 34 felony charges.
“This is a great blemish added to our nation’s history,” said the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn and the daughter of Haitian immigrants.
“Yet, the Brooklyn Democratic Party is pleased to see Donald Trump finally facing tangible consequences for his despicable actions. As prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said of Trump’s criminal actions, ‘It was election fraud. Pure and simple.
“In our democracy, nobody is above the law, and that includes our former President Trump, who a jury found guilty of falsifying business records by covering up a payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election.
“Yet let’s not forget that Trump is still the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, as he faces three other pending criminal cases and numerous civil cases, including one led by our New York State Attorney General Letitia James,” she said, warning that “Trump remains an ever-dangerous threat to the core of our democracy and the American people as he tries to run for president again.”
Bichotte Hermelyn said the Brooklyn Democratic Party thanks Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his office for their “continued work to bring Trump to justice, despite threats and protests.
“As the presidential elections quickly approach, Democrats in Brooklyn – and across the nation – must continue to counter the vile hatred of MAGA Trumpism with unity and strong leadership as we build a brighter democracy,” she urged.
In a very brief statement, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Thursday’s verdict “reaffirms that no one is above the law.”
In preparation for a verdict in the trial, Hochul said she had directed her administration to “closely coordinate” with local and federal law enforcement, adding that “we continue to monitor the situation.
“We are committed to protecting the safety of all New Yorkers and the integrity of our judicial system,” she added.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the criminal justice process must be respected.
“As we await the following steps, New Yorkers should rest assured that the NYPD (New York Police Department) stands ready to respond to any circumstances, including large-scale protests.
“While peaceful protests and assembly will always be protected, we will not be a city of any form of lawlessness,” Adams added.
Soon after the jury found him guilty, Trump condemned the verdict.
With his lead defense attorney, Todd Blanche, close behind him, Trump told reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse that ‘this was a disgrace.
“Our whole country is being rigged,” he said, adding that the nation “has gone to hell.
“We’re a nation in decline, serious decline. Millions and millions of people, pouring into our country right now, from prisons and mental institutions, terrorists,” added Trump, falsely referring to Caribbean and other migrants crossing the southern border of the United States. “And they’re taking over our country. I’m a very innocent man,” he said.
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